Another stress fracture advice thread

[LuzzBightyear]

Hi

I may have a stress fracture in my lateral fibular plateau. I had an X-Ray, which was negative and am awaiting a bone scan, which unfortunately may be a couple weeks away.

The sports doctor I saw seemed rushed and didn’t really say much except for waiting to see what bone scan reveals. So I am not really sure if he suspects a stress fracture or just wants to rule it out.

So...impatient me wants to know: has anyone ever had a stress fracture there? Or anywhere near the below the knee area? Does it hurt to walk around? For me, it does not hurt until 45-60 minutes into a run and my preconception about any stress fracture is that it would hurt much sooner than that!

I am into worst-case scenario planning (that it is a fracture and Goofy is at risk). Note: not scared of a painful experience, just permanent/serious damage.

I read that it takes 6-8 weeks to heal. Does anyone know how you gauge a date when the 6-8 weeks starts? I did a marathon mid-October…then took a couple weeks of very easy short runs. Then pain started my first post marathon long slow run (like end of October). Stubborn me tried long runs a few weeks after that, but those runs were aborted before finishing. So am not sure if the 6-8 weeks starts my last pain free long run (marathon), first run pain occurred, or last time I stubbornly tried a long run?

And if I did have a stress fracture, but still within the 6-8 weeks, was is the worst that could happen if I tried to do Goofy, using a “mostly walk, just stay ahead of the sweeper” strategy? I entered 1:48 HM as proof of time so am thinking I will be in A or B corral, so I may even get away with 17 m/m pace without being swept when my corral head start is factored in.

I know the doctor will have the definitive word, but that may be weeks away and it is really weighing on my mind, so any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[cewait]

First, I would not run or do any extended weight bearing workouts unless your doctor approved. This close to the race, it may be well worth the phone call to the doc’s staff to ask about activity restrictions if not covered in the visit. There is a good chance of being told no running, speed walking, cycling, etc…. It may be worth the phone call even if covered now that you have a little time to reflect just to understand.

With regard to time of treatment, generally the doctor will work from the time the treatment starts. So if you are looking at a 6 week recovery, it will start from that appointment. Note this is not always the case and can be worth asking questions, but most docs I have been associated with are conservative in this approach. The question in their mind is, when was the last time you ran or otherwise stressed the injury. Generally, treatment of SF will require a non-stressful period – not always non-weight bearing – for the opposite end of the tibia it is usually a knee length boot.

I have suffered a couple stress fractures and from what I recall, I was good on the run until I was at least warmed up if not a little longer. Your time period seems a little long, but I cannot say it is overly long. Think of the SF is a series of little hairline cracks that overnight and when little stressed close up and try to heal. When you stress then such as on a run, they start to open and as some point produce pain. Taken further, the small little cracks grow…and possibly become a full fracture.

I am hoping that your doc has a much better view of your knee and gives you some ability to run Goofy. Ask questions and slow him up during the next visit. You are paying his salary, not the other way around. Frankly many docs are so rushed and so few patients come back with questions that they develop the speed approach to seeing patients. Most will take the time and talk if the patient pushes back a little.

Good Luck. Hope to see you in Jan!