It took seven months on the bench but at last I have an answer... (Read 776 times)

I have a double stress fracture to my right posteromedial tibia, unusual placement, at the back of the bone. For those that don't know my history I started running in November and became injured during a race in January. I have never been able to return to running properly, always having pain, weakness and tingling since that day. Three physios and a podiatrist could not help me, so after seven long months, I at last got referred to a Sports Doctor (Dr Dale Speedy, Sport's Doc to the New Zealand Olympic Team). He got me to jump high in the air and land on my injured leg once (this gave me pins and needles), he watched me run about ten metres, felt my leg bone, checked my reflexes, asked lots of questions and said he needed more x rays. I had x rays done in March, but he said that he was certain it was a stress fracture as he could feel a large lump on the bone which suggested an area of healing and that even though nothing showed back then, he thought it would be visable now, even on x ray. I went straight to the hospital, had the x rays done and was back within thirty minutes. The x rays showed two stress fractures, one about an inch above the other. The dip I was feeling in the bone on my leg was the bit between the two lumpy fracture sites. I have been referred for an MRI so that he can see how severe they are and then he will be able to tell me how long I am benched for. It will be a minimum of eight weeks, in probability longer. I am so f&*%ing excited to have an answer. I was petrified that he would not be able to find anything and that I would be left without any answers - or a solution. This I can live with. This just means being patient for a while longer. Heck I'll wait six months, even nine months if there is a future to look towards. kooky will run again! Just not for a while. Claire xxx

The light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train... I'm so glad you've found an answer that means you'll be able to get back to your normal self in time...

Claire --- that's awesome that you finally have an answer!! Being patient will pay off ... especially since you have a running future to look forward to!

Finally an answer so you can get a clear-cut recovery plan!!If they already healing so they show up on xray that is a good start. I'm hoping for as short as bench stay as possible for you.

I have definitely been missing your running posts and can't wait for the 8 wks to be behind you. Do whatever Dr. Speedy says and let that injury heal!

Thanks Everyone! ...Checking my log again today I realized that I never did have the full eight weeks off. It was actually only five and during that period I walked long distances and lifted heavy equipment daily setting up at Playcenter. No wonder it didn't heal... Claire xxx

Just remember that if you are tempted to return too fast. I've been there...it's frustrating but you have to let it heal. I used this schedule AFTER, I repeat, AFTER it was healed, and it worked well for me. It was frustrating to ramp up so gradually but it paid off: http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/stressfracture.shtml Good luck!