I’ve had a history of recurrent metatarsal stress fractures in the left foot (fourth metatarsal). I’ve seen a sports MD and followed all of his recommendations/treatments to the “T”. I’d like to know what type of running shoe(s) people use who have experienced metatarsal stress fractures. I wear an orthotic in a neutral shoe. I’m fairly light at 110lbs. I’m female, have normal bone density, calcium intake, etc. My training encompasses a run focus in the fall and winter with road races during that time, then IMC focussed training thereafter.
I’ve tried the following shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider (too little forefoot cushioning), Asics Landreth, and Brooks Glycerin. I’m a midfoot striker. In general I find that I prefer a lightweight, flexible shoe. What do you use?
If you are using an orthotic in a nuetral shoe, why not try some extra metatarsal padding in a shoe woth some slight/moderate posting? I have never had that tinjury, but I have had my share of running injuries, I used to run in fairly heavy trainers (2100s, OMNIs, etc, etc) and when i switched to lightweight trainers and flats, I found that I was injured much less, I think its probably due to the fact that I can move more naturally in a lighter shoe. So the shoes that Have worked well for me are -nb 901 (amazing for me, I want to try the 902) -Brooks st racer (all time fav) -SAucony tangent -tiger paws -fila asylums (so-so) -ds trainers (the older ones with SpEVA rather than the solyte) -ds racers None of those shoes are heavy and none of them offer any heavy duty stability. I tried the neutral with an orth and it wasnt the best for me. Check out something lighter with a bit of stability. Go online and find a metatarsal pad also.
I’ve had a history of recurrent metatarsal stress fractures in the left foot (fourth metatarsal).
That’s interesting. Bones tend to be stronger once they’ve broken and healed again, it’s unusual to keep getting fx in the same spot.
edit - oops, forgot to answer your question. I have Asics nimbus somethingorothers. I’ve had a history of sfx too, all of which happened when I was running in Mizuno shoes, which was a coincidence: shoes do not cause sfx. Too much running does.
Hard to answer since a 4th met stress fracture is unusual in of itself (2nd is most common, followed by the 3rd). If your stress fracture was more proximal, near the cuboid articulation, then that is most definitely a stability issue. More distal is the typical “march” or runners overuse issue.
I’m not a fan of a motion control shoe for a 110 lb female, but really need to see your foot to make any recommendations. I much prefer a lightweight, neutral trainer as well (use the Saucony type-A which is a unisex model) and it facilitates midfoot striking and has enough cushion to run a marathon in (I’ve done 3 in them with Boston in less than a week).
Also, why are you using orthotics? plantar fasciitis history? Structural deformity from the met stress fx healing? Just sent someplace by the sports med guy because of multiple stress fx?
Hi. Thanks for your post. I had a bone scan done last year and the fracture location was distal. My sports doc attributed to overuse given my IM training.
I’m not crazy about wearing the orthotics which were prescribed by the sports doc. Orthotics were recommended after another injury in 2003. That time the doc thought I had a stress fracture in the femur, (unusual), but a bone scan revealed no fracture. This injury occured at the peak of my training before IMLPin '03. I tried the orthotic in the months following the race, but I hated them because I ended up with ITB issues. I ditched them and was fine for months including an IM in 2004. However, leading up the 2005 IMC my foot troubles began (using Mizuno Wave Rider no orthotic). I did the IM regardless and took it easy in the fall. However, when I returned to running I couldn’t run more than 45minutes without the foot bothering me (nagging dull ache). A couple months later, in 2006 I went to the Dr. After a positive bone scan he advised me not to run for 6-8 weeks. I returned to running very slowly, eg. run 1 minute then walk 4 minutes increasing the running slowly over many weeks - it was a sad state. I didn’t do an IM in 2006. Anyway, now I’m just paranoid when I feel anything remotely unusual in the foot. After visiting the doc for a followup a few weeks ago, he said lay off running for 2 weeks, and if it’s still bugging me, he may have to consider other reasons for my discomfort.
So, just trying to find a good shoe… realizing that it’s not going to solve my problems but it may mitigate them!
I have used the New Balance 857’s and have had one SFX of my 3rd metatarsal, but figured that was the way I was running (trying “pose” running), so I continue to use that shoe with no ill effects. Did 4 HIMS and 1 IM with them in 2006.
Hmmm … I do have one female runner with a similar history of yours that I’ve been scratching my head about. She is a good runner (3:15 marathon time, age 35) but with multiple biomechanical issues (plantar fasciitis, 3 stress fractures, ITBS, etc.) I’ve had her in and out of various orthotics, PT, etc. but mostly I’m trying to get her out of them and into a more neutral shoe if possible. You do have to be careful of the “minimalist” camps/shoes and new running “methods” with a history like yours though. The good news is that you are now VERY much in touch your body and have learned not to ignore or run through certain pains (many runners do). Impossible to suggest a perfect shoe for you without seeing - I’d just go to your local running shop that you trust. Tell them what you want to try and why, and your injury history and go from there.
Yeah, you’re right. I have found a running shop that I really like and trust - it’s time for another visit and a few more dollars 
Cheers.
I’m not sure that the shoe is going to solve your problem. But, fwiw, give the adidas boston classic a try - it’s a nice neutral cushion shoe and is fairly light.
Since your sfx is always on your left foot, do you have some other abnormality on that foot (like a bunion) that could be the cause? Do you run on the same side of cambered roads?
Additionally, increasing distance or speed work too rapidly in a ramp up to a marathon or your IM could be the culprit. I have a friend who’s built like you and has suffered from several sfxs, and generally they come when she’s ramping up (too quickly) for a race she decides to do too late to slowly build for. Additionally, if she misses a run, she has a tendency to tack on mileage to the next days run rather than just letting it go and then BINGO sfx.
If that’s the case, a little extra cushioning in the shoe won’t matter.
Good luck
Presumably your sports MD has been over this with you, but if you have enough negative energy balance during hard training to affect your menstrual cycle that could have an effect on your bone remineralization. At a weight of 110 if you are more than, say, 5’ 7 you could be at risk and will need to watch being upside down on total calories and not just calcium.
Althoguh you mention that your bone density is normal, a DEXA study thay looks only at your hip and spine might not tell the whole bone density story in an extremely active person. Did you have a heel scan as well?
With respect to ramping up training prior to a race, it’s true that problems arise with the introduction of speedwork. I’m very carefult with this now.
As to the type of bone desity test, it focused on the hip and spine only.
I’m 5’4" and 110lbs. I’m pretty stable at that weight and will vary +/-2lbs. (The only people who say I should go and eat a burger to put on some weight are my inactive friends!) I’m pretty sure I don’t suffer from the “female triad”.
I’m going to watch my training, rotate shoes frequently, and go back to the doc if I have to. I know the commonsense solution, but I guess it’s frustration with injury that leads me to ask for advice from other runners.
And on that note, I’m off for a run before the bad weather arrives!
Favorite shoe = Favorite Injury Switch around alot, use different types of shoes, works for me.
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bones are weaker once they break and heal, not stronger
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But when you have a fracture, the bone forms a callus -thicker layer of bone- around the fracture site. You can feel it (I’ve fx both fibulas and can palpate the newly formed bone).