Stress fracture success story - part 2

Skip navigation

Organizer Technology Solutions:

Post an Activity | Account Access

Search Cool Running Community

Up to Threads in The Med Tent

25620 Views 361 Replies Latest reply: Nov 30, 2007 5:15 PM by spicegeek

1 2 3 ... 25 Previous Next

sweetP062

24 posts since
Mar 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

Feb 14, 2006 5:53 PM

Stress fracture success story - part 2

There was a thread like this going on a while ago, but I decided to re-create it for those of us who have just recovered in the past few weeks to give those who are currently suffering hope. I found this a big source of inspirarion for me hearing the success stories of mtmom, chinaplate, and others when I was still in the depths of my injury.

Basically, I was suffering with a femoral stress fracture for 4 long months. No running at all!!! I just started running again on January 29. At first it was really hard, and I could only run 2 miles at a time without a walk break, but less than 2 weeks later, I won a 5K in conjunction with the Birmingham marathon. Then yesterday I ran a SLOW 13 miles. So, just be patient and let the injury run its course, and you will be back in no time.

As a side note, I just want to warn everyone not to start back until their bodies are ready. There were 2 times that I tried to run, but knew after just a few steps that I wasn't ready, so I quit. I think that if you just let the injury run its course, it is a whole lot easier to get back into things.

Like (0)

mbannon
1,542 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

1. Feb 14, 2006 8:03 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Well, this isn't a success story YET, but hopefully it will become one before the prime Spring running season...

In late December I decided I probably had a stress fracture in my lower tibia - too cheap to go to the doctor, though, plus I know they'll just tell me to stop running for "x" number of weeks. I can supply the "x." So I stopped running for 6 weeks, but did lots of swimming, elliptical, and stationary bike.

My first run back was wonderful. Three miles at my regular ol' pace with no problems other than very sore quads (wasn't expecting that, but no big deal). That was my only run that week. The next week (this would be last week) I repeated the run and again felt good. But a day or two later the pain returned to my lower tibia. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same pain, but it's close enough to have me worried.

So I guess it's another 4 weeks or so off, then another test run or two. In the meantime I am bound and determined to actually improve my aerobic capacity and will be sure to do more squats and keep up the toe raises - don't want to go through the shin splints phase again!

----

Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">

Report Abuse

Like (0)
PerfesserR
153 posts since
Sep 7, 2005

Currently Being Moderated

2. Feb 15, 2006 9:36 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

quote:
Originally posted by mbannon:

So I guess it's another 4 weeks or so off, then another test run or two. In the meantime I am bound and determined to actually improve my aerobic capacity and will be sure to do more squats and keep up the toe raises - don't want to go through the shin splints phase again!

Me too, I just tried some easy runs after 8 wks off for a tibial sf. No go--still some pain in the area. Arrrgghhh.
Anyway, listen to your Doc, but mine said no weight-bearing exercise at all because it stresses the fracture, that would exclude squats, I would think.

Report Abuse

Like (0)
sweetP062
24 posts since
Mar 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

3. Feb 15, 2006 10:36 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

mbannon,

I feel that swimming is totally what allowed me to maintain my aerobic capacity and actually HEAL at the same time. I spent about four weeks doing everything but running (eliptical, stairmaster, spin classes, etc) and finally realized that, while I wasn't getting worse, I wasn't really getting any better either.

So, I made a bet with my boyfriend that I couldn't go a week without doing any weight bearing cardio. Well, being that I am the most competitive person in the world, I won the bet, and I also realized that I felt better after that week than I had all along. SO I continued to only swim and lift for another 2 weeks, and after that, I was finally able to start running.

So suck it up and hit the water...your body will thank you later!

Report Abuse

Like (0)
TexasRose
12 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

4. Feb 18, 2006 8:03 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Thanks for sharing these stories. It helps me keep things in perspective! I just got my boot yesterday for a tibial sf and no running for 8 weeks. I don't have access to a pool, but I can do the recumbant bike. I hope that and my lifting will keep me in shape until I can do weight-bearing exercise again!

Report Abuse

Like (0)
sweetP062
24 posts since
Mar 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

5. Feb 21, 2006 10:44 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Don't worry...the time will pass so fast, and come warm weather time, you will be back in action. I had a stress fracture of my tibia a few years ago, and it healed pretty fast. I haven't had any problems with it since!

Also, cross training will really keep you in shape cardiovascularly. When you do start running, it might be little harder for you to get your legs back, but your cardio system will be fine!

Report Abuse

Like (0)
chinaplate
51 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

6. Feb 21, 2006 3:05 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Hey SweetP,

So glad to hear you are doing well. I am having a set back week. I was doing about 7 every other day or so on the TM but started to have a lot of issue with my injured side. A month ago I also had some issues with my good side, but worried less as I didn't freak out over reinjury.

I think that I ignored some signals my last couple of runs and then it all hit. Some soreness in the original spot and lots that could be due to a tight psoas (which was what originally caused my fracture). So I'm trying to take at least a full week to do no running, take a rest day or two, and mostly swim or bike. Hopefully it will calm down!

Back at 13 already seems amazing to me!! Keep at it and congrats!

CP

Report Abuse

Like (0)
Crossranch
5 posts since
Sep 23, 2005

Currently Being Moderated

7. Feb 21, 2006 10:38 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

I am glad to hear others working thru this too. So to join in, another almost I hope success story. I had/have a real bad stress fracture of the tibia. It happened on October 29th.

I stayed completely off (kinda depressed) for Nov and Dec. Around xmas I tried running - 10 seconds on the treadmill and bingo - pain. So nothing but eliptical (boring) until about last week.

Then back on the treadmill for 1.5 miles. NO PAIN. Beautiful. Got proper shoes for my supination/ high arches (could the stability shoes have been a cause?). Have been running 1.5 - 2.0 miles on the treadmill about 4 or 5 times now.

Odd thing is there is no pain at the fracture spot while running - not even discomfort - but about 12 to 24 hours after it is sore to the touch at that spot. Fades after about two days.

Any ideas what this is? Feels almost like shin splints (which I have plenty of experience with) but its very specific to the quarter sized spot where the fracture was.

Also today noticed some discomfort right above the ankle on the same leg and some "cramping" on the top of the foot. Am I just using things that have been "off" for 3 + months?

Thoughts?

Report Abuse

Like (0)
sweetP062
24 posts since
Mar 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

8. Feb 22, 2006 11:58 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Hey Chinaplate!

I'm sorry to hear about your setback, but it's great that you realize that it's better to take it easy for a week or so now rather than be out another 4 months by continuing to run on it. It takes a lot of restraint.

I have been feeling really good, almost too good. I did the half in Austin this past weekend, and it went well, a little slower than I'd like, but the day after I felt fine. Like you, I am finding that taking more rest days is helping me feel better on the other days.

Keep at it, and let me know...be sure to stretch also, that has made a lot of difference for me.

Report Abuse

Like (0)
sweetP062
24 posts since
Mar 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

9. Feb 22, 2006 12:06 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Crossranch,

Congrats on your recovery! RUnning is a wonderful feeling if you haven't done it in a while.

I know what you mean about "feeling" your stress fracture site. I have had the same problem...it doesn't hurt at all, but I just notice it. If it was anywhere else on my body I probably wouldn't think twice.

I have had three stress fractures so far, and in every case, I felt general soreness when starting back to running, particularly in the areas surrounding the fracture site. I attribute this to just not using the muscles while injured and then expecting them to do something that they haven't done for four months. However, if youexperience true pain while running, STOP! This could mean that you are reinjuring things.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

http://interwovendesign.com/kick/userdisplay.php3?username=sweetP[/URL" target="_blank">

Report Abuse

Like (0)
Crossranch
5 posts since
Sep 23, 2005

Currently Being Moderated

10. Feb 22, 2006 10:18 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

Thanks for the positive attitude. Hopefully I'll be lucky enuf to stop at one and not try for three. You are on the mark... no pain at all while running but soreness afterwards. Seems worse later in the day (like now). I am treating it like shinsplints - few days off and ice and advil.

The good news is that I think the eliptical (as much as I don't like it) has kept me from loosing too much cardio fitness. Doing a mile and a half on the treadmill still seems like just a warm up - kinda a good feeling.

I am hoping to come back from this and do Whiterock at the end of the year. Some friends did Austin but it was a bit cold.

Report Abuse

Like (0)
mbannon
1,542 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

11. Feb 23, 2006 1:09 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

quote:
Odd thing is there is no pain at the fracture spot while running - not even discomfort - but about 12 to 24 hours after it is sore to the touch at that spot. Fades after about two days.

This is exactly what I'm experiencing right now. I figured I'd started back to running too soon and was re-opening the fracture. Does anyone actually know for sure (from MRI's or X-Rays or something) that their fracture was totally healed even though they still felt this pain the day after running? It would be wonderful if I could start running again, I've been thinking I need another month off. The pool and the gym have done wonders for my fitness level, but I'd still rather be running if possible.

----

Running To My Future
Me[/URL" target="_blank"> and My Log[/URL" target="_blank">
The Newbie Wiki[/URL" target="_blank">

Report Abuse

Like (0)
divechief
359 posts since
Aug 14, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

12. Feb 23, 2006 2:13 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

FWIW I've been told that a SF will show up as a hot spot on a bone scan for MONTHS after it's "healed" After my orthopod gave me a cautious OK to return to running I still felt a little pain while running. I choose to give it one more month before I resumed running. After 6 months on the elliptical, what's another month?

I felt what's a month or two when I have my whole life ahead of me?

Good luck.
Dave

----

about me[/URL" target="_blank">

Report Abuse

Like (0)
Crossranch
5 posts since
Sep 23, 2005

Currently Being Moderated

13. Feb 23, 2006 10:16 PM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

To mbannon and divechief (and others). Heres what I know. I did the bone scan when this happened in late Oct and it showed a real hotspot. The doc told me that xrays show nothing of a stress fracture until its healing or healed. Then it shows some as new bone.

I tried running around xmas (could literally only do 10 seconds on the treadmill) and like you said it hurt while running so I went back to the doc. He put me in a boot until Feb. Then I got the green lite to try running. He says based on xray that the fracture is completely healed... no risk of reopening it. He also says that if there is pain while running - stop.

No advice on what to do for pain after running. I have heard that the damage to the covering of the tibia can also show as a hot spot and I am guessing that this is what is hurting me. Similar to the separation of the covering from the bone that causes real severe shin splints. If it does not start to fade soon I am going back to the doc to ask.

But until then its lite running every second or third day or so and ice and stretching. I am a bit torn - I agree with you "whats one more month out of a lifetime" but I think this has to be a bit of trial and error.

Report Abuse

Like (0)
Bienzi
23 posts since
May 30, 2007

Currently Being Moderated

14. Feb 24, 2006 7:40 AM (in response to sweetP062)
Re: Stress fracture success story - part 2

quote:
Originally posted by chinaplate:

I think that I ignored some signals my last couple of runs and then it all hit.
CP

Please help me with this, what are the signs? I have a 'spot' in my ankle that if i turn it just right, it kills, it doesnt hurt to walk on it but found myself limping home on my last run. i have a half marathon in two weeks, eek!

Help!

----

me[/URL" target="_blank">

Report Abuse

Like (0)