Sesamoid Recovery Training

Hey there, good luck with this one, I've had varying levels of sesamoid issues in the past (two breaks and one bruise).

If you've had an MRI or CT and you know for sure it's a bruise then great, probably just 4 weeks without running.

If you've not had one, I'd be very cautious - I've had two breaks and it took the latter one 26 weeks to repair, my experience was that a bruise and a break feel the same.

During my bruise injury (which was after the two breaks), I finally got some orthotics. They are made from fairly simple plastic and not rigid - they bend well, light and are very small. They fit in most shoes (except spikes) and they don't feel like regular rigid carbon orthos which I've had an were a joke. They have offloaded the ball of my foot nicely and I've had (touch wood) no issues for 24+ months.

During rehab, for two weeks I rowed, cycled and swam, even the cross trainer would hurt a little so I skipped that. I made myself some bodge orthotics whilst my new ones were being prepared, just two insoles back to back with a giant hole in the bottom one. They enabled me to run for 5-10 mins every other day after cycling after the initial 2 weeks. After 4-5 weeks I risked running again, I got away with it, even though the doc had told me no runs for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks I was over 50 miles/week again which is better than 0!!!

Good luck and if you want to chat. try me on

m.n.ryall@talk21.com

Foot.

Thanks for the response. I have not had an MRI or CT so, indeed, I am being careful. I am presuming it is a bruise because the pain is not great. The pain was intense the day after I first injured it (i.e. it was difficult to load full body weight while walking) but that has been quite some time and I now even run on it (though I probably shouldn't). The sensation that the bone is still healing is apparent because even while sitting many times I will notice a slight tingle in that area of my foot. So I am wary to run until it feels just like the other foot (perfectly healthy). I have to maintain and develop my aerobic fitness during this period so I will probably start pool running and cycling. I am concerned rowing would put on too much upper body muscle (and also put pressure on my foot somewhat). I think I will play it safe and just do this for the next couple of months before I try running again. This injury is lingering far too long.

Have you had any success with pool running?

Appreciate your--and anyone's--time.

If you've had your sesamoid injury for more than a few weeks I'd get it checked as it's most probably broken - I hope it's not for your sake.

I haven't done any pool running before, but know people who have and prefer than to any other cross training.

I'm 5'11" 140lbs and didn't put on a single lb rowing, it's probably the weight lifting which makes rowers bulk up.

Foot.

If the bone is deteriorating it may even need removal, which is a huge problem for a runner.

Okay. I will go get it checked.

Although it is taking a while to heal, I doubt it is broken because I can run on it pretty darn quickly without any pain during the run. It just tingles once in a while after the run. I know bone bruises can take a long time to heal. Hopefully it is just a deep bruise.

Pool running is looking promising.

Thanks fellas.

Actually, that last thought is worth revisiting and I would appreciate anyone's input here.

Question: Would someone with a broken sesamoid be able to run a 6:14 mile on asphalt without any pain both during or after the run?

This is precisely what I did two days ago (w/ adequate warm-up and cool-down to total about four miles) and have only noticed that slight tingle I mentioned upthread (which started the day after the run).

Perhaps someone with more experience than I could comment on the nature of injured foot bones because my instinct tells me it's just badly bruised and therefore not needing medical attention. Obviously, I want to avoid such attention if possible. Just looking for opinions/guesses here.

Thanks.