Stress fracture or not

Xray typically does not show stress fracture, particularly early in the process. Not being able to put weight on it is obviously a bad sign, but actually typically much worse than normal sfx symptoms. How did the injury happen? Did it come on gradually or sudden? Any bruising?

When I had what I now am sure was a stress fracture of a metatarsal, it also did not show up on x-ray and the doctor who saw me did not know that such things as stress fractures existed. So just because a "doctor" said you don't have a fracture doesn't mean you don't. However, I agree with the previous poster that your symptoms sound really bad for a stress fracture. In my case (metatarsal), standing on the foot was pretty much OK but it hurt like heck to walk. Also there was sharp pain on pressing right on the fracture, but not in any other place.

You need an MRI or bone scan. X-rays often don’t show. Mine didn’t either. Go back to the doctor and see if they can do different imaging. Not being able to put weight on it could def be a stress fix.

Pictures of feet. Literally.

https://imgur.com/a/2EeykUM

like everyone else said, X-rays often don't show a SF early on. MRI is the advanced imaging of choice. High suspicion: active female, pain on top of foot often localized on deep palpation, swelling on top of foot compared to opposite side. All of these signs warrant advanced imaging in my hands. Go back to doctor and suggest an MRI. otherwise if those are your symptoms treat your foot as if you have a SF. For my patients I allow weight bearing as tolerated in CAM walking boot for 6 weeks. Stationary bike in CAM boot is fine for cross training. avoid high impact activity

Runrghy wrote:

You need an MRI or bone scan. X-rays often don’t show. Mine didn’t either. Go back to the doctor and see if they can do different imaging. Not being able to put weight on it could def be a stress fix.

why do doctors even waste time and money on xrays

Kati81 wrote:

I can barely put any weight on my left foot. The top and outer part of my foot hurt severely. I went to the doctor she did and xray said no fracture and sent me on my way. Now I am stuck barely able to stand or walk. Could the xray be wrong?

I had something like this not so long ago. X-ray didn't show anything. The doc suggested not to spend for an MRI; his reasoning was that the treatment was the same -- don't run until all of the swelling and pain is gone. I hit the pool for six weeks, then made the transition back to actual running.

Kvothe wrote:

Runrghy wrote:

You need an MRI or bone scan. X-rays often don’t show. Mine didn’t either. Go back to the doctor and see if they can do different imaging. Not being able to put weight on it could def be a stress fix.

why do doctors even waste time and money on xrays

Bc of insurance companies ... they won't authorize until that box is ticked