Stress fracture(s) – Any advice?
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kylie posted 15 weeks ago.
Yes, see a sports doc, or even just another doc who works with runners.
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cayman posted 15 weeks ago.
Definately see a new doc., but also find a good local running shoe store to discuss which shoes best fit your running mechanics. I've never used Newtons, but if you're fairly new to running you may be better off with a shoe that offers more cushion and support-- the Newtons may be a little too thin to be used as training shoes. If you're a heel strike runner, the injuries sound consistent with heel striking, you may want to refocus your stride to land more mid foot to ball of foot, re: pose or evolution type running. There's plenty of info here on site or see if the local running shoe store can recommend an area coach to get you going in the right direction.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
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brittda posted 15 weeks ago.
Well I have gone through this---I have had 4 in the last 6 years. The first few were due to bad biomechanics, andI finally had orthotics made for running. The last one we think was due to ramping back up too fast after IMC for a January marathon and needing new orthotics(they do break down over time, feet change, etc) I have found that the orthotics have helped my comfort during and after running alot.
My last stress fracture ( tibia, just below my knee) took 5 months to heal and was frustrating since I was training for my HIM, but I was able to still bike, swim and do yoga so that made it better. The biking helped me get back into the running as "painlessly" as I think possible. Still had a less than stellar race but "it is what it is".
Some people really aren't made to run. If you are heavier (I am by no means small) running puts a huge stress on your body and extra weight does not help. Just one example. I have one leg shorter than the other and pronate a LOT. I probably am not "made" to run, but do and plan to continue for as long as I can. There are things you can do to make yourself more suited to run, ie; loose weight, get orthotics etc (again, just examples not making any assumptions)
I would(and have) see a sports doctor, or physical therapist who deals with sports injuries he/she can check your running gait and assess anything that may need modification through exercise, orthotics, etc.
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jrs961 posted 15 weeks ago.
Brittda - I don't think this is weight related - not that I am a stick, but I am within the 'normal' BMI range. But what do I know? Orthotics wasn't something I had thought of - thank you!
All - thanks for your thoughts! Keep them coming!
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brittda posted 15 weeks ago.
jrs961 wrote:
Brittda - I don't think this is weight related - not that I am a stick, but I am within the 'normal' BMI range. But what do I know? Orthotics wasn't something I had thought of - thank you!
All - thanks for your thoughts! Keep them coming!
I did not mean to imply it was :( just an example since I am up about 10 pounds myself AND have biomechanical issues that went "unfixed". You could have some muscle imbalance etc that could just be resolved with specific exercises as well.
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brittda posted 15 weeks ago.
jrs961 wrote:
Brittda - I don't think this is weight related - not that I am a stick, but I am within the 'normal' BMI range. But what do I know? Orthotics wasn't something I had thought of - thank you!
All - thanks for your thoughts! Keep them coming!
I did not mean to imply it was :( just an example since I am up about 10 pounds myself AND have biomechanical issues that went "unfixed". You could have some muscle imbalance etc that could just be resolved with specific exercises as well.
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1761 days
beads1985 posted 15 weeks ago.
kylie wrote:
Yes, see a sports doc, or even just another doc who works with runners.
cayman wrote:
Definately see a new doc., but also find a good local running shoe store to discuss which shoes best fit your running mechanics. I've never used Newtons, but if you're fairly new to running you may be better off with a shoe that offers more cushion and support-- the Newtons may be a little too thin to be used as training shoes. If you're a heel strike runner, the injuries sound consistent with heel striking, you may want to refocus your stride to land more mid foot to ball of foot, re: pose or evolution type running. There's plenty of info here on site or see if the local running shoe store can recommend an area coach to get you going in the right direction.
Both good ideas.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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cogirl3 posted 15 weeks ago.
(1) Is it time to see a sports medicine doctor? Are the Newton’s worth a shot? Any other thoughts or recommendations on how to proceed?
I have Newtonws (got them for free from the 24 hour triathlon- would never pay $175 for shoes!), and I use them for runs of 4 miles or less. I am not even sure how I pronate or anything, but I do know that these shoes provide NO support. They do make you go fast though. They really make you run ball-toe and kind of propel you forward. But I feel that help comes at a price, and I feel it in my legs, feet, knees when I run with these. So save your money and spend it on a doctor or orthotics instead. Just my $.02.
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Elise posted 15 weeks ago.
Yikes! I just saw my primary care doctor yesterday about the possibility of a stress fracture on my left tibia. He is waiting for x-ray results. I am not looking forward to not running, as it is my passion and the reason I started triathlons. How long would I have to stay off my leg? I just signed up for a HIM in April and I want to make sure I have enough time to train for it.
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Anton posted 15 weeks ago.
A word of caution...I personally know several folks who developed stress fractures and it ended their running. Period. These are nothing to play with. Without proper attention it can lead to permanent damage. Follow your doctors orders when you can come back, do so slowly, make sure you have the right shoes and make sure you're getting enough calcium...
"If he wants to swim in dangerous waters...who are we to deny him?" Chef Skinner
My Blog: http://antonspath.blogspot.com
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cayman posted 15 weeks ago.
Stress fractures may take as long as 6 weeks to heal, but it's always wise to heed the advice of your doctor and allow the proper time to heal completely. You should still be able to incorporate water running and the use of an eliptical trainer during recovery as well as bike-- no impact. There will still be enough time to get run training in for your HIM in April even if you have to take the time off.
Hope all goes well, Elise.
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
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brittda posted 15 weeks ago.
Elise wrote:
Yikes! I just saw my primary care doctor yesterday about the possibility of a stress fracture on my left tibia. He is waiting for x-ray results. I am not looking forward to not running, as it is my passion and the reason I started triathlons. How long would I have to stay off my leg? I just signed up for a HIM in April and I want to make sure I have enough time to train for it.
For my last one it was November -Mid April. Missed out on the Disney World Marathon, and Vancouver Marathon. Was able to bike, swim. If the fracture is high enough (near the knee like mine) likely they will not boot you. In any case you SHOULD be able to do anything but run. My other 3 were also in my tibias and same thing. Those took less time to heal though for some reason this one was a bugger.
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beads1985 posted 15 weeks ago.
If it is a stress fracture, make sure you don't run until allowed.
If the Dr. approves work on your cycling, swimming, and some strength training and do some pool running(zero impact).
Make sure you get your calcium as Anton stated.
Nothing to it, but to do it
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1366 days
Triguy98 posted 15 weeks ago.
Great advice has already been give.
1) stop all contact running!
2) see a sports medicine doc. or at least a doc who runs
3) see item 1
4) keep moving, but on the bike, swimming, and deep water running. (make sure not to slam your feet into the wall when pushing off in the pool)
5) fix your form and wear shoes that are designed for high mileage (none of these newtons, nike free, or other supplemental shoe)
Sounds like you get a free pass to start your offseason early. Get this checked out and fixed. Take every single bit of time off recommmended by the doctor and dont mess with it.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
I was recently diagnosed with my second stress fracture in 4.5 months… First was in my right heel, now my left heel. I know that the first was probably caused by building distance too quickly: over the 10% a week rule. However, I was exceptionally careful about adding distance after that injury, and am confused about how I ended up with a second stress fracture.
I talked with the doctor at length today, and he said that while he didn’t think that it was a bone density problem, he would prescribe a bone density test just for my peace of mind . . . But his opinion was that “some people just aren’t meant to run.” He said that he believed that a 7-8 mile long run was my maximum, and that I would continue to get stress fractures whenever I exceed that distance (my 1st stress fracture was after I built up to 8.1 mile long run, 2nd after 7.4 miles). I brought up Newton’s and forefoot running, and his opinion was that I could try it, but that he thought he would just see me in January with a metatarsal fracture.
I am frustrated. This is my first year in triathlons, and my first time doing any sort of running training… While I definitely don’t consider myself a runner, I have started enjoying running and had signed up for a marathon in January. I would also like to race in some triathlons that are longer than sprint distance.
So - - - I am not really happy with the conclusion that some people just aren’t meant to run, and have a couple of questions for everyone:
(1) Is it time to see a sports medicine doctor? Are the Newton’s worth a shot? Any other thoughts or recommendations on how to proceed?
(2) Anyone else have two stress fractures in a short amount of time who can commiserate?
(3) Does anyone else think that my ‘walking boot style’ is bound to catch on? I keep waiting to see others following the trend, but no luck yet.