Do I have a stress fracture? Any advice?

Question

I have not worked out in over a year (had a baby and got lazy.)

So I started running again last week, outside, in the mornings. Now I have a pain in my foot... I researched as much as I can online and have narrowed the injury down to basically a stress fracture... now what?

The pain is not horrible, but very bothersome, causing me to limp sometimes, but not always. Is this typical for stress fracture? Or are they normally very painful - and I probably have a different problem?

The pain is very much inside... not a muscle. My foot has a stiff feeling... most of the pain is when I arch my foot up (like I'm wearing high heels.) It hurts along the top and outside area of my foot, but deep inside.

Any helpful ideas?

Obviously going to the doctor is a safe answer to this question... I'm looking for alternatives and some experience from other people with stress fractures... thanks!

Answer 1

Stress fractures usually affect the necks of the metatarsals - usually the 2nd so although it may well be a stress fracture I wouldnt automatically assume that it is.  The shoes you are wearing for running are they new/old? If they are older do they have quite a lot of wear on the outside edge? What kind of surface are you running on? Is it both feet or just one? It would be helpful to have more information.  I think its more of a biomechanical problem and would suggest seeing a podiatrist to have an assessment.

Edit: I agree with going somewhere that advises on footwear, however these people are NOT medically trained and can only give basic advice.  You need to see a professional who will be able to do a thorough examination of your feet and your gait cycle.

Answer 2

My daughter also just started running cross country after a long period of inactivity.  We went to the doctor re. possible stress fracture on the advice of her coach.  

Even though she has sharp pain, the doctor said that since the localized pain was at the point of the attachment of the muscle/tendon to the bone, she had tendonitis--not a stress fracture.  She has dispersed pain throughout the shin area and localized pain down low at the attachment to the bone.

I was impressed that the doctor figured this out the old-fashioned way rather than immediately going to an X-ray as so many doctors will do.  Don't know if this will help you since you are talking about the foot.  Perhaps you could look at a diagram and see if the sharp pain is at the tendon attachment?

The doctor recommended cutting way back on her miles, starting with one mile per day and only increasing her mileage by 10% per week.  Also, she ices twice a day.  This has shown results over the past week, and she has much less pain now.  

I'm into trying to help yourself as possible, but I will just throw in--see a doctor of course if it gets a lot worse.  

ADD:  Agree with Claire about the shoes.  She also went to a shop that specializes in advising re. proper running shoes and got some inserts that help with pronation and a different pair of shoes.