Reinjury / recovery from pubic ramus stress fracture

Hi All,

I’ve been running for about 7 years or so, but more seriously the last 3. 43 years old, so far run a couple of marathons (including NYC which was amazing) and probably capable of a 3.30 marathon if I pushed it.

Anyway a week before the Sydney marathon last year came down with a sore groin. Was rubbing about 70k / week. Tried to run, pulled out after 6k. MRI diagnosed ramus stress fracture. Painful but after a week or so didn’t have much pain and by 3 weeks didn’t notice it when walking much.

In November started walk / run, building up to full running end December, with no pain. In Jan averaged 30k per week, Feb 40k and then 50k in March. Then... a week or so ago I did around 50k plus touch footy with my son and also included some sprint work - 2x400m flat out. Developed that burning groin sensation which lasted for a few days, but now have point soreness at the stress fracture site.

So I guess I’m back to square one, but this time probably need to ease in to it a bit more gradually and no aggressive runs. Any advice on dealing with this a second time? I’m a bit down, as I suspect no chance of running a marathon this year given I probably should have a couple of months off and then build up but maybe hold at 30k week for a much longer period.

Also concerned as I didn’t think I had any warning signs until the burning started.

Anyone dealt with this and reinsured?

Cheers,

Tom

Here is my experience with this injury. Please keep in mind that my doctor was very, very conservative in treatment and clearing me to run again. Also, I used a coach to bring me back to running from this injury and he was also very conservative in building back into running. I am sure there will be other responses where people had a much quicker healing time and were not so conservative (I am jealous of them!). In my research, this is a super weird injury and it seems that everyone's healing journey is pretty different.

I was diagnosed with it April 2017. I did nothing, not even cross training, per my doctor until August 2017, mostly because I had a lot of lingering pain at the stress fracture area and surrounding it that would not decrease. August 2017 - October 2017, cross training only with a super gradual build up. Started with the recumbent bike and light swimming and graduated to arc trainer and elliptical. Cleared to run in October 2017; so basically 6 months of no running. Came back to running with a run/walk program plus a bunch of physical therapy exercises to strengthen pelvis/hips/glutes. Did not run a week over 20 miles until mid December 2017 and did not run 30 miles or more in a week until middle of March 2018 (so almost a full year after diagnosis). First "workout" was probably end of January 2018.

Was able to run (not race) a half marathon at the end of April 2018 to gauge fitness. Ran my first marathon after injury in November 2018, a year and a half after diagnosis. PRed by 20 minutes and qualified for Boston.

Since being cleared to run, I do have "phantom" pains at the stress fracture area from time to time but have not had any repeat occurrences of this injury. I think that the conservative return to running plus a complete dedication to physical therapy exercises and warming up/cooling down properly have been the key. It was a frustrating injury so I know what you are going through!

Reinjury / recovery from pubic ramus stress fracture

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