I’ve just been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the third metatarsul (near the proximal head) of my left foot. While my doc found the problem, he gave me NO guidance about what I might still be able to do. He simply said, “It will take six weeks to heal, come back and see me in six weeks.” then walked out the door. (btw, I waited in his office for 2 hours and 15 minutes past my scheduled appointment. I would have walked (ok, limped) out, but I had waited 3 weeks for the appointment.)
My question is, what can I still do. I read the other thread which started with stress fracture of the femur, and much of the info there was helpful. This time of year I’m usually running long and slow, biking outside some (weather permitting) inside more, swimming, lifting and cross-country skiing. The irony is that I’ve been running without pain, what sent me to the doc was that I had pain for the first few steps out of bed in the am (like plantar facitis), and then it would mostly stop, so I had suspected soft tissue issues.
So, what can I still do? A local marathoner (and brother of 7-time IM champion, Ray Browning) told me he’d had the same exact fracture, and did nothing but pool running. He said he healed in ~4 weeks. He thought XC skiing was risky. Any suggestions? I’d really appreciate some help here. Thanks. I don’t want to jeporadize my tri season…I’m already in for Wildflower, IMCDA, IM Canda, and (with any luck, and the creek don’t rise) Kona again. Thanks in advance.
I had the same fracture last year on my right foot (3 & 4 actually) My doc put me in an air cast since it’s not the most stable of areas which I wore when I wasn’t swimming and cycling. I found I was able to get back to lower body weights after 2 weeks or so with pain (or lack thereof) as my guide. I was running again in 6 weeks, but I have a history so 4 weeks could be good for you. I was just careful not to push off the wall with that foot and all my cycling was on the trainer (it was December).
Would have to see the x-rays, but I think your doc should have taken this a bit more serious. The potential problem with a metarsal stress fracture is that even if it is only a hairline now, continued force can sometimes displace them as the fracture worsens. This is rare, but it can happen. I’ve seen it.
Some docs traditionally would tend to often place these in a below the knee walking cast for 4-6 weeks, just for safety sake but nowadays there are better options available. They now make strap on style casts walking cast alternatives that you can take on and off. You’ll have to investigate what’s available. I worked my way thru chiropractic college as an orthopaedic technition in the busiest hospital fracture room in the city of Toronto, but as that was twenty years ago, I’m a bit out of the loop as to what cast alternatives are available these days.
For sure, the stress fracture should be immobilized for a few weeks IMO just to play it safe. Forget about running until it’s completely healed.
Thanks to both of you for your responses. I have done some swimming, and pushed of the wall only with the non-injured foot. (it’s been a little sore…not used to the full workload, I guess. Guess I’ll have to do a lighter push off). I’ve done no running for ~two weeks now, but I have been XC skiing (freestyle “skate” skiing), and have had no pain while skiing, and only a little discomfort afterward (morning after, like I mentioned above), I also suspected that climbing out of the saddle was problematic, so I’ve avoided that…does that sound right?. I’m concerned whether the XC skiing is too risky.
As for the xray, the fracture was apparent…even I could see it. I asked about a bone scan, and the doc simply said that he could order one, but considered it a waste of my money since it was obvious from the xray.
I wouldn’t do anything that caused any discomfort at any point. If it hurts you the next day after you did an activity, that’s a sign to take it easy. I didn’t listen to the warning signs enough, and I’ve been off from running for over 3 months, whereas I should have probably been back to normal by now.