Will wearing orthotics make getting a metatarsal stress fracture less likely?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am 48 years old, weight 180 lbs and have been running for 30 years. In May 2007, I fractured (an actual break) the 3rd metatarsal in my foot while wearing Nike Free running shoes (I think 3.0’s). The injury healed enough that I was able to do IMFL in November 2007. I recently re injured the foot and now have a stress fracture in the same bone. I’m certain it was injured as a result of wearing extremely lightweight trainers (something I was trying to do after listen to all the know-it-alls on ST who espouse running barefoot and other such nonsense to strengthen the foot). I will now stick to more substantial shoes.

Would wearing orthotics make re injuring the foot less likely? (I know there is an irony that I again turn to this forum for advice).

2

The answer is: it depends. In some cases, it could make a lesser metatarsal stress fracture more likely! I wish I could give you a better answer than that, but I can’t without the “big picture”.

You have to remember that all slowtwitchers have perfect biomechanics, run 5 min/mile pace and bike sub 1 our 40Ks easily :wink: In all seriousness though, the population on this forum is NOT the general population at all - even a general “athletic” population.

3

I don’t know, but I got a metatarsal stress fracture a couple months after having a set of orthotics made. Turns out part of the orthotic needed to be grinded down so it didn’t put a pressure spot on the fractured bone.