elliptical? Femoral neck stress fracture

I am actually in the same position. I was diagnosed two weeks ago, although had been cross training and walking around for 3 weeks before that on what was thought to be a "hip flexor strain". However my doctor has me on crutches for at least 6 weeks, and not doing any type of cross training for at least 3-4 weeks. The stress fracture is located at the base of femoral neck (the thicker part), so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. I would be very interested in hearing anyone else's experience with this type of injury.

I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago. At first I was trying to bike and deep water run, both of which was painful, but then the doctors advised me to take about 4 weeks off from that, and I was put on crutches, and told to put no weight on my leg. But on my most recent visit, I was given the ok to cross train.

I've been biking again for 2 weeks, along with deep water running and swimming, and yoga. The doctor advised me to try to use the elliptical now that I've been almost pain free for 6 weeks. He said that if I'm biking and using the elliptical with out any problems, then in a few weeks I can try to re-introduce running, by starting off doing just like 1/4 or 1/2 a mile on a real soft surface, like the indoor track or treadmill.

Your bone needs a little bit of stimulus in order to heal fully. I was told to try to stress myself to the point where I can feel it, and even a little painful, but not to push past that point. I feel that it is better to err on the side of caution, but a little bit of discomfort is ok from what I've been told.

My fracture was in my femoral shaft, not the neck. And I know that fractures in the neck may take longer to heal, and are a lot more critical. So be careful!

Take care of it, and be patient. Time is the only thing that will heal it, and if your patient then you will be better off in the long run.

Ask your doctor about the Exogen bone stimulator if your fracture nags on. www.exogen.com This will accelerate your healing and worked well for my femoral stress fx

Hang in there "not too hip right now"

I had a stress fracture in my right femoral neck. It took 5 months to heal because for 2 months doctors thought it was a hip flexor strain or a labral tear. I was told not to do any bike or elliptical training and could only pool run for three months. I think it would be better to be safe than sorry and only pool run. I was told that if I did not let my fracture heal, the bone could split through and I would have to have pins inserted or you can get a condition called avascular necrosis (spelling?) where blood supply gets cut off to a portion of the bone and then some people have to get partial hip replacements. I personally decided that I would rather stay in the pool only instead of risk not being able to run for the rest of my life. I am back running now and am happy that I made that decision..to be cautious. Good luck.