Stress Fractures

[VisionaryMom]

So...a few weeks ago, my doctor told me to start cardio 6 days a week for 1 hour a day. About 2 weeks in, my foot started hurting. I went on a midnight walk with a group I'm in, and I fell. After that, my foot hurt pretty badly, but I associated the pain more with the fall.

Life happened, vacation, etc., and I didn't get to work out again for 3 weeks. I started trying to walk a good bit more this week, and now my foot is killing me. I've been reading, and I think I have a stress fracture. The pain is from the spot on my foot where the pictures I've found show stress fractures are most likely.

How do you treat one? Is it worth going to the doctor?

[zmom2010]

Well, IMO you should have it definitively diagnosed by a doctor and probably by an x-ray. There are a lot of structures in the feet and ankles, and though I believe that a person's instincts are usually right, it could be something else.

However, If it is a fracture, you will probably need to see an orthopedic to determine what course of treatment is best. Stress fractures can get worse, and depending on where you hurt it, it could be a worse fracture than you think it is. TX can range from stay off of it to air cast and pins through surgery IF it's a worse fracture (Like a Jones fracture) and it's not stable.

Hopefully, it will turn out to be very minor and you can start back exercising soon!

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by zmom2010

Well, IMO you should have it definitively diagnosed by a doctor and probably by an x-ray.

I'm going to call our family doctor on Monday. It should be okay until then, right? I'll probably try to stay off it tomorrow, which incidentally is our weekly cleaning day, so .

Originally Posted by zmom2010

However, If it is a fracture, you will probably need to see an orthopedic to determine what course of treatment is best. Stress fractures can get worse, and depending on where you hurt it, it could be a worse fracture than you think it is.

I'm hoping it's not too bad, but I've never had any type of fracture/broken bone type of injury before. It's across the top - middle of my foot.

Originally Posted by zmom2010

Hopefully, it will turn out to be very minor and you can start back exercising soon!

I hope so! It's frustrating. I was on meds for 3 years that tanked my metabolism, and I've finally (!) gotten off of them. I've been med-free for about 6 weeks, so I was hoping to make a fresh start. Our Y has lap swim times, so I'm hoping I can do that if this is indeed a stress fracture.

[veronicam]

I had to deal with the whole stress fracture thing in college when I played volleyball. I had 3 stress fractures in my ankle and foot. The doc put me in a cast for 6 weeks. Not fun, that's for sure.

Good luck with the doc. Hopefully you won't need a cast!

[VisionaryMom]

I just got back from the hospital. I saw my doc. He agreed it's probably a stress fracture and sent me to the hospital for an x-ray. (I figured that would happen, but it's definitely cheaper than the urgent care/ER route for an x-ray.) Anyway, my foot's turning purple from everyone touching it, and it's hurting much worse now.

I have an order for a boot that I'm supposed to go get tomorrow if I don't hear anything in the morning from dr office. Basically they'll call if the x-ray shows something different from a stress fracture.

I've never worn a boot. I told a friend I'd watch her kids tomorrow afternoon, but I'm wondering if I should cancel. I don't know that I'll be able to run after them.

[bec]

I had a stress fracture in my tibia and was in a boot for 4 weeks. It was a pain to deal with, but I was able to get around. Play it by ear. Maybe put your friend on notice that you may have to cancel at the last minute.

It takes about 6 weeks for a bone to heal, but, I have learned, in my case, that it can take much longer to make a full recovery. 6 months to a year to be back to 100%, so ask questions of whatever doc you go to.

IMO, going from nothing to 6 hours of cardio a week is too much too soon. You need to build up to that level of exercise gradually. I hope your recovery is quick and complete. I know how frustrating it is to have to deal with this kind of setback. I was about halfway through training for my 2nd marathon when this happened.