Why can't I run anymore without causing a stress fracture?

Triathlon Forum
1

Let me quantify… I’ve never really been able to “run” but I give it my best effort.:wink:

NOTE: I have “Morton’s Foot” or a longer 2nd metatarsal bone.

This is a 2nd metatarsal head issue. One which I’ve been dealing with for almost 20 months.

I ended up training through IMLP '06 with an ignored stress fracture of the 2nd metatarsal head. ( I didn’t know it was a stress fracture, but I knew it was injured and I choose to ignore it because I was able to “run just fine” on the outside of my foot. Big mistake!) After IMLP’06 I didn’t run for 10 months. Finally, I was thrown into a boot for the month of March’07. The swelling went down, I got flexibility back in my 2nd toe (Able to crunch my toes again) and I didn’t walk with a limp anymore. I wasn’t favoring the area any longer by walking on the outside of my foot. With that I had a few tendon/muscle issues in the heal and ankle when I started walking “normally”. Per the Ortho I started off speed walking. After two weeks of just walking I was instructed to to start adding 5 min intervals in my walks and after about 8 weeks I built up to a straight 30 minute run after 10 min of walking warm up. Over the last 9 weeks I’ve ramped up my long runs and today I went 96min basically running 15min then taking a 1 min walking break.

I’m running very easy right now, plodding along around a 9:30 or so pace, attempting to have a quick foot strike and NOT toe off.

And here I sit at 5:00pm with ice on my foot with what I can assume is the beginnings of a stress fracture of the 2nd metatarsal head.

What can I do to alleviate this issue. I’ve asked my Ortho a number of times about orthotics. He really has never really responded. (He’s a reputable Sports Orthopedic with a running back ground him self.)

So, Dr.'s of ST… Help me out.

Thanks
Mike

2

PowerCranks
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3

If you are overloading the 2nd metatarsal, then a stress can ensue - easy concept. Off loading and the body heals the injury. But you still haven’t addressed your “deformity” and your chosen sport. Also, Google “Frieberg’s infraction” just in case (are you female?)

IF you end up going the orthotics route (ortho guys typical just write it out on an Rx pad and send you away to their favorite place - may be good, may be bad). But, you want the device to LOAD the 1st MPJ and not just try to offload the 2nd metatarsal head (i.e. a simple donut hole cut-out). That only works for plantar pressure pain - no for running/biomechanical issues.

Good luck!

4

Frieberg’s infraction

Interesting… My ortho also pointed me in that direction… However, the radiologist wouldn’t take another look at my MRI with “Frieberg’s infraction” in mind.

I’m sure I’ll be heading to the Ortho again this week and with that a follow up MRI with “Frieberg’s infraction” as the script to the radiologist.

Why didn’t I have this issue the 1st 3 years that I was running? It’s only sprouted up over the past two years.

5

Who knows. It is a relatively uncommon dx, thankfully. It is more common in young women in my experience (as with many avascular necrosis issues)

Good luck!