Stress Fractures

Pross

Anyone had any experience of being treated for stress fractures? After months of intermittent breaks from running due to what I assumed were shin splints I think I may actually have stress fractures but I'm trying to decide if it's worth bothering getting a proper diagnosis as I assume the 'treatment' will just be rest for x weeks. I've got cover so I can go for private treatment but it would be useful to know if anyone has done so and whether they would say it was worthwhile. Once rested I'll be going to a podiatrist specialising in running to see if they can help stop the problems coming back but I struggle to avoid running for weeks on end, supposed to start training for my first marathon in 3 weeks too.

rjsterry

Pross wrote:

Anyone had any experience of being treated for stress fractures? After months of intermittent breaks from running due to what I assumed were shin splints I think I may actually have stress fractures but I'm trying to decide if it's worth bothering getting a proper diagnosis as I assume the 'treatment' will just be rest for x weeks. I've got cover so I can go for private treatment but it would be useful to know if anyone has done so and whether they would say it was worthwhile. Once rested I'll be going to a podiatrist specialising in running to see if they can help stop the problems coming back but I struggle to avoid running for weeks on end, supposed to start training for my first marathon in 3 weeks too.

Greg66 over in Commuting can tell you all about it. It was covered in some detail on his IMC 2013 thread.

sungod

Pross wrote:

Anyone had any experience of being treated for stress fractures? After months of intermittent breaks from running due to what I assumed were shin splints I think I may actually have stress fractures but I'm trying to decide if it's worth bothering getting a proper diagnosis as I assume the 'treatment' will just be rest for x weeks. I've got cover so I can go for private treatment but it would be useful to know if anyone has done so and whether they would say it was worthwhile. Once rested I'll be going to a podiatrist specialising in running to see if they can help stop the problems coming back but I struggle to avoid running for weeks on end, supposed to start training for my first marathon in 3 weeks too.

i used to suffer this type of pain running/fast walking, eventually found it was due to over pronation (causing ankles to roll inwards as feet land), now i have footbeds with correct arch support, no problem since

dinyull

I suffered a stress fracture in my foot approx 10 years back whilst playing football.

I will say this, I knew something wasn't right instantly and although was able to carry on playing (down to adrenaline) a few hours later I was suffering pain I'd never felt before and haven't since. Wasn't able to bear any weight for a week or so.

I did go to A+E the following day and was treated with absolute contempt and just told to rest up for a few weeks.

Pross

sungod wrote:

Pross wrote:

Anyone had any experience of being treated for stress fractures? After months of intermittent breaks from running due to what I assumed were shin splints I think I may actually have stress fractures but I'm trying to decide if it's worth bothering getting a proper diagnosis as I assume the 'treatment' will just be rest for x weeks. I've got cover so I can go for private treatment but it would be useful to know if anyone has done so and whether they would say it was worthwhile. Once rested I'll be going to a podiatrist specialising in running to see if they can help stop the problems coming back but I struggle to avoid running for weeks on end, supposed to start training for my first marathon in 3 weeks too.

i used to suffer this type of pain running/fast walking, eventually found it was due to over pronation (causing ankles to roll inwards as feet land), now i have footbeds with correct arch support, no problem since

Thanks. I'll be getting assessed as I have similar issues. I did get fitted for my trainers when I first started out but I think something more specialised from a podiatrist will help once the current injury is sorted.

Pross

Dinyull wrote:

I suffered a stress fracture in my foot approx 10 years back whilst playing football.

I will say this, I knew something wasn't right instantly and although was able to carry on playing (down to adrenaline) a few hours later I was suffering pain I'd never felt before and haven't since. Wasn't able to bear any weight for a week or so.

I did go to A+E the following day and was treated with absolute contempt and just told to rest up for a few weeks.

Cheers. I struggle walking down steep slopes and stairs but general walking is not too bad. I've assumed it was shin splints up until now but some of the symptoms suggest stress fractures ( very definite localised sore spots, a bit of a burning pain in those areas even lying down). It's almost irrelevant though as for both shin splints and fractures the treatment seems to be rest for about 6 weeks. I guess I'll just have to get on the bike and keep away from hills!

verylonglegs

I'm not sure why you are hesitating to use private cover if it's available as the difference between NHS and private for complaints like yours is night and day.

Pross

I'm just not sure there's much they will be able to do other than say rest. I will be going to a physio it's just whether I need to find one who can scan me to diagnose if it's a fracture or 'just' shin splints.