I've been cross-training for about a month and a half by swimming for about an hour every day, except for Sundays. So far, there is no pain.
I've been cross-training for about a month and a half by swimming for about an hour every day, except for Sundays. So far, there is no pain.
That is no indication. I had a 6-month sf recovery and could cross train fully almost right after the injury.
Did your doctor suggest a timeframe? Usually it is 6 weeks to 6 months.
You can try it, and if there is pain, stop for a while. It will probably only set you back a couple of weeks.
[quote][b]
When I got a stress fracture in my foot, I would go in every week or so to get an x-ray and based on that my doctor finally gave me a thumbs up. Are things different now?
[quote][b]
I've been out since the beginning of October. Initially, my doc had me out for 4 weeks, but then I had an MRI done at the end of that 4 week period, and they found that the sf was healing, but it wasn't fully healed yet. So, the doc decided to have me out for another 6 weeks. This Friday (1/10/20), will be the end of the 6 week period and I have an appointment with my doc on that day. I don't know If he will have me take another MRI just to make sure that it's fully healed, or if he will just let me go without an MRI. Also, if the doc asks me If I want another MRI done, should I take it?
Where is the stress fracture located? If it’s in the foot, it will typically heal faster than a shin, which heals faster than a femoral, sacral, etc.
Reasonable Runner wrote:
Where is the stress fracture located? If it’s in the foot, it will typically heal faster than a shin, which heals faster than a femoral, sacral, etc.
It's a tibial stress fracture.
Your doc will give you more specific advice, but if you are walking around within discomfort etc that is a good sign. When coming back from an injury like this, I like to do some walking workouts (max incline on the treadmill) and see if that aggravates it. You’ll like have some residual soreness when you start back. Just make sure you monitor it and make sure it doesn’t get progressively worse
I had the same injury and the Dr's instructions were to not run for 8 weeks. I cycled, swam some, walked a little just to stay active. After 8 weeks I was good to go. I was completely out of carido shape, but since then I've had no issues. I'd probably be a little hesitant after 6 weeks, but you may be younger and heal faster. I was 38 when I had my sf.
Dr. Beaker wrote:
It's a tibial stress fracture.
I had a tibial stress fracture that took almost a whole year to heal. I had several x-rays, and after 6 or 7 months a CT scan which showed it was still not healed. After that, the doctor shut down any sort of exercising completely: no aqua jogging (what I'd been doing until then) and he said "don't walk much". 11.5 months after I had initially gotten my stress fracture I got an MRI which showed it was healed.
My case may have been a little extreme. But be careful. I'd suggest you get either a CT scan or MRI before you start running again to make sure it is completely healed.
Also, get your blood checked. Especially now, during the winter months we are not getting that much sun, and since you are injured you spend even less time outside. Thus, your vitamin D (important for your bone to heal) levels may be low.
I've had two tibial stress fractures - first one I started run/walking after 8 weeks even though there was still pain. Stupid. It was well over 6 months before I could run without pain. Second one was last year, Dr. said take 3 months off, no long walks, nothing load-bearing. I followed precisely (did lots of indoor cycling) and then glacially returned to a walk/run (walk 4 minutes, run 1, repeat) program until I could run 5 minutes, then 7, then 10 -- you get it, take it slow! Vitamin D was a big issue for me as well, runners and athletes need more than the minimum recommended. Good luck!