Vent! Anyone had a stress fracture?

[dakcp2001]

I went to the Dr today, I have been complaining of pain in my foot for over a year and a half. At first she told me to take Motrin and lose some weight. The more exercise I did, the more it hurt. They took an xray in January and told me everything looked fine, must be arthritis. Again, told to take Motrin. Been working on my feet dealing with the pain for the last 6 months. Today I went in for a Physical because my health insurance ends in June, so wanted to get everything done before that. I told her I was still having pain and it is worse, and she looks back at the records. I have a stress fracture. No one told me. My insurance ends June 30. Awesome!

Anyone have any experience with a stress fracture?

 

[bumbershoot]

I haven't, but I feel really bad for you!

(and I'm really angry with your doctor...)

 

[StacyMarie]

Yes, I have had 2 stress fractures in my life. Ironically, they were both in the same spot, just 20 years apart! Mine were caused from running. I started running in March for the first time in 20 years and developed pain in the exact same spot that I had before with my stress fracture from when I was 15. When I was 15, I actually had to have a cast for 6 weeks. This time around, they caught it earlier enough (within a week), that I just needed 3 weeks of no running on it and then eased back into my regular routine. I would get to an ortho and have it checked out, especially since it has been so long!!!

 

[gurglingsuitcase87]

omg that is terrible that that was over looked. I just broke my nose this week, and it hurts, so I feel your pain. I've been icing it alot and taking alieve and it helped SO much. The ice 15 mins on and off really helps. Hope you feel better though!

 

[aprilgail2]

I had one in my foot and after getting a bone scan done I ended up in a cast for almost 3 months.

 

[pezheadmeg]

The good news first. Mine went on for 9 weeks before it was actually called a stress fracture. The podiatrist just had me keep that part of my foot stabalized and stick to supportive shoes. Once it healed I had no issues.

The bad. I shattered my ankle. The pain from the stress fracture was much worse. But with ankle surgery I got much stronger pain meda too.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, I am just recovering from one.
Mine also took the scan to diagnose, as it did not show up on regular Xray.

Get a 'walking cast' or 'boot' NOW.... before your insurance runs out!!!! Then you will have this covered.

A few weeks wearing this (which is a royal PAIN, but necessary) and you will be healed.

PS: what size shoe do you wear? Right or left foot? I have my boot that I can send you if you have a small foot!!!!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I had one in my foot and after getting a bone scan done I ended up in a cast for almost 3 months.

I have a question about this, I am 90% sure I have a stress fracture. I started running a lot more (upped my mileage significantly) starting in March, about mid to late April the pain started (right foot, 4th/5th metatarsals). After about 2 weeks of pain, I took 2 weeks off from running, iced the foot, took anti-inflammatories. This helped somewhat, and since it was better, I started running again, very slowly building up mileage, alternating with walking and cross-training (swimming, biking). Between then and now, it has gotten so much worse - always painful when bearing weight (although less so in running shoes, very bad in heels), and now has started to ache even when not bearing weight.

I went to the doctor this week finally, they did an X-ray and of course did not see anything (as far as I understand, stress fractures rarely show up on x-rays?). Doctor said the only way to actually diagnose would probably be with a bone scan or MRI, but first wants me to rest for 2 weeks (no weight bearing exercise), ice, use anti-inflammatories (although I have already done that with no success!).

So did your doctor go straight to the bone scan? I am just somewhat concerned, my sister had a similar fracture that was not treated aggressively enough and developed into an avulsion fracture and she was on crutches for several weeks.

Interesting to read everyone's experiences. I am so tired of my foot hurting all the time!

 

[dakcp2001]

I have a question about this, I am 90% sure I have a stress fracture. I started running a lot more (upped my mileage significantly) starting in March, about mid to late April the pain started (right foot, 4th/5th metatarsals). After about 2 weeks of pain, I took 2 weeks off from running, iced the foot, took anti-inflammatories. This helped somewhat, and since it was better, I started running again, very slowly building up mileage, alternating with walking and cross-training (swimming, biking). Between then and now, it has gotten so much worse - always painful when bearing weight (although less so in running shoes, very bad in heels), and now has started to ache even when not bearing weight.

I went to the doctor this week finally, they did an X-ray and of course did not see anything (as far as I understand, stress fractures rarely show up on x-rays?). Doctor said the only way to actually diagnose would probably be with a bone scan or MRI, but first wants me to rest for 2 weeks (no weight bearing exercise), ice, use anti-inflammatories (although I have already done that with no success!).

So did your doctor go straight to the bone scan? I am just somewhat concerned, my sister had a similar fracture that was not treated aggressively enough and developed into an avulsion fracture and she was on crutches for several weeks.

Interesting to read everyone's experiences. I am so tired of my foot hurting all the time!

My Xray showed it, but mind you, I had been complaining for over a a year at that point. She has me going for an MRI tomorrow. MIne started off as a little pain while walking/running, then it got worse and worse. It was"annoying" in the beggining, then progressed to pain and soreness after. Now if I try to run or even walk fast it is a sharp pain and will hurt all day after. I work on my feet too, so like a 12 hour shift is awful. If I keep moving I can get used to it, but once I sit its hard to get moving again after my dinner break.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Mine was not super bad..... after the Xray showed nothing, but I told them that there was a definite pain, they did the ultrasound scan.
There it was, bigger than anything.... ( I don't know why an MRI would be necessary... They just got the ultrasound wand out right there in my Podiatrist' office )

Really, you need the boot!!!!

Think about it...
How long have you experienced the pain....
Is it better????
Unless you get OFF of the foot or immobilize the foot, it ain't gettin' better.

So did your doctor go straight to the bone scan? I am just somewhat concerned, my sister had a similar fracture that was not treated aggressively enough and developed into an avulsion fracture and she was on crutches for several weeks.

My Podiatrist said she sees this ALL the time.... People let it go.. Then they mention it to a general physician, or even urgent care... They are told 'take it easy', 'ice the area', etc... or even given a little post-op shoe... Well, inevitably, before long they end up in her office, and it is much worse than it should have been.

I am just hoping that this info helps!!!

Hope your foot is better soon!!!

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Mine was not super bad..... after the Xray showed nothing, but I told them that there was a definite pain, they did the ultrasound scan.
There it was, bigger than anything.... ( I don't know why an MRI would be necessary... They just got the ultrasound wand out right there in my Podiatrist' office )

Really, you need the boot!!!!

Think about it...
How long have you experienced the pain....
Is it better????
Unless you get OFF of the foot or immobilize the foot, it ain't gettin' better.



My Podiatrist said she sees this ALL the time.... People let it go.. Then they mention it to a general physician, or even urgent care... They are told 'take it easy', 'ice the area', etc... or even given a little post-op shoe... Well, inevitably, before long they end up in her office, and it is much worse than it should have been.

I am just hoping that this info helps!!!

Hope your foot is better soon!!!

Thanks! I went to my family doctor, which is why she said "ice and rest"... I'm sure a podiatrist or orthopedist would have done something else. I'll give it the 2 weeks of rest and if not better, make an appointment with a specialist. I like to run and I'm going a little crazy cooped up inside!

 

[Wishing on a star]

OMG, feeling 'immobilized' and cooped up was one of absolute WORST parts of being in that boot!!!

I am not healthy enough to do running, but boy, not even being able to get out for evening walks, do things with my family...

I know just what you mean!!!!

PS, you can get around in that boot, and your foot will not hurt, so that is good. But, hobbling around is just not the same!!!