Faster Than Your Couch!
I am asking for my DD.
She broke her third metatarsal head right on the growth plate three years ago, when she was 14. It was just a hairline fracture, but got treated with a rigid sole shoe/boot, and it seemed to heal up nicely. However, she took the shoe off two weeks early because she attended girls' summer camp. Even though, the doc was happy with the results of healing.
Every once in a while since then, the foot and toes still swell up when she walks the whole day, especially in heels or flat-soled shoes (Converse), e.g. on seminars.
No problem when she runs, up to 10 miles, on road or trails, in well fitting, cushioned shoes. Feels great even in more minimalist shoes (Brooks Pure Grits).
A few months ago, she was wearing high heels to prom, and she was on her feet for a few hours dancing. After that, she attended a dance rehersal for a Maypole dance, where she had to skip a lot (about an hour) in soft ballet flats on a concrete road. Next day, she was on her feet all day in flat-soled boots, walking all day on grass.
Then her foot and toes swelled up and hurt quite a bit. She saw the orthopedic doc who said it might be a "pre-stress fracture" (??), she was given a pad to put into her shoe for two weeks, some rest and elevating the foot, and it healed up quickly.
Yesterday, she was ice-skating in shoes that did not really fit her (rentals), then walked through downtown for a few hours. Now her foot is swollen again, toes swollen, and it hurts.
Could this be a stress fracture, or is it just still "sensitive"?
Improper healing of the first injury?
Will just rest, elevation, and good shoes work, or should we see the doc?
What can be done if it is a stress fracture - anything?
Any experiences, comments, expertise welcome!
Run for fun.
Tim
Only way to tell for sure is to do a bone scan. That would show a "hot spot" at the area of active involvement.
If she recovers with rest, then not much the ortho can do for her beside suggesting rest or booting the foot for a few weeks. A cause of swelling can also be related to stress on the soft tissue, and if is the case, maybe seeing a good PT or a podiatrist (one who deals with athletes) can help.
Had she every had her iron levels checked? Athletic girls her age are almost always low on iron and rarely take supplements. Iron deficiency is a key factor in poor bone healing.
“Paralysis-to-50k” training plan is underway!
Thanks, we'll follow up with her doc then.
She is low on iron, sometimes slightly anaemic, sometimes just above, so some iron supplement might help. Recently, she has been asking for lots of meat to eat, so maybe that's an indication that she needs more protein or more iron? I'll have her checked.
She generally eats very healthy, but not so heavy on the meat.
Agree with AT, bone scan is about the only way to tell for sure. Basic stuff like X-rays don't seem to pick up the little fractures.
DW has had her share of foot problems. First she dealt with a Jones fracture that took a long time to heal, and last winter she had a very bad bunion removed. She will still occasionally have pain and swelling in the area of the Jones fracture and that was probably 6-7 years ago. She still has a lot of bad days from the bunion surgery. Feet take forever to heal. There were several times that she thought the Jones fracture may have broken again, but every time the Dr thought it was just soft tissue injury and after several days the pain and swelling would subside.
DW has seen both Ortho Docs and a Podiatrist. Overall she's been happier with the Podiatrist.