Anyone familiar with stress fractures in the foot?

Sadly, I did not.
I'm picky about shoes - they need to be sweatshop free and vegan - so I got them online at a vegan store. They are New Balance and a nice pair of shoes but you are correct that I probably didn't pick correctly. I didn't realize what a big deal it was to get the perfect fit!

I do plan on going to a running shop here in St. Paul with my next paycheck and making sure I get proper shoes this time.

I'm still not 100% sure I have a fracture as it already feels a lot better and only really hurts if I move funny or put too much strain on it. Still, doc visit is Monday and I'll keep it, just for peace of mind. Thank goodness I have good insurance.

I never ran consecutive days and I've never run more than 3X a week, so I'll have no trouble taking it slow! Seems I was taking it slow to being with. LOL. I imagine I'll have to start back at the bottom with my mileage and build back up to 3-4 mile runs though. Bummer.

Still, I'm glad that it already feels better. That makes me hope that my time away from running won't be too long! Biking is nice but I miss my runs.

LEONALIONESS;
Did you go to a specialist running store to get fitted for the right shoes for your stride? If not, do it now. Whatever you do, do NOT rely on your intuition, what you read on the net, or any source other than someone who works in a specialist running store for your shoes.

That said, based on what you've said, I'm not sure if you have a stress fracture. You know when you have had one - a couple of people I know have had it and boy, does it hurt! in your case, rest, ice and a break from high-impact cardio (e.g. running) should see you right (at least at first).

Then start running again with your new shoes. Take it slow, no running on consecutive days, and only 3x a week....

Oh dude.

I just saw the post re: running shoe fit and realize I'm in shoes too small! My big toe is pretty much flush with the end of the shoe during normal wear. I wonder if that affected my toes/feet?? I have had toes hurt mildly before during runs and just assumed it was the pounding. I'm wondering now if it was the fact my foot swelled and the shoes got too tight?

Regardless of what goes down at my appt. on Monday, I'm going to suck it up and get (another!) new pair of shoes. This time bigger and made for overpronators. This group rules!

if your foot checks out fine (which i hope it does!) one thing you might want to look into is lacing your shoes differently. When I had foot pain that turned out to be unrelated to a stress fracture, a personal trainer relaced my shoes for me, which made a big difference. I had also purchased one pair of sneakers in a size smaller than I usually get, which caused foot pain a different time. Hope you feel better soon and good for you for getting it checked out (my boyfriend is notorious for "running through the pain", and has injured himself twice).

Melissa,

Please DON'T worry about it if this was just a few times, just don't take anymore unless your doc advises otherwise...a few reasons why it isn't advisable to take things like Advil or Aleve is due to the masking properties and because these meds decrease inflammation (the body's natural healing process) you actually slow the healing process considerably. They have also been shown to interfere with tissue regeneration and collagen repair, not to mention what they do to our gut and kidneys.

The one thing I learned (and this was stressed throughout the class) is NEVER, EVER, EVER run medicated even if you are taking it for say menstrual cramps or a headache (non-running related). You should wait at least 12 hours after taking it to run.

Remember your goal is to be a life-long runner so it is better to take some time off, apply some ice, elevate your foot, maybe even use an Ace bandage to see if that helps.

Nancy

Edited by: CD318156 at: 6/29/2009 (15:04)

Well crap.

I suppose it's bad I took an advil this morning, then, huh? I usually NEVER take pain meds but I had them at the office and popped one.

Is this going to be super bad, Nancy?
Now I'm worried. :/

*edit* Appt. made for next Monday with a sport's med doctor. It's the earliest she had and since I'm not in agony, I think it's alright to wait just a week.

I know I'm avoiding running/walking but I'm hoping biking will be fine?

Edited by: LEONALIONESS at: 6/29/2009 (15:12)

Melissa,

You really need to visit a Sports Medicine Doc and get a clear diagnosis. What I told in my running coach's certification class is most stress fractures occur later into a runner's training cycle due to the bone regeneration process and many times stress fractures are related to bone density issues.

Just to be on the safe side, get it checked out, the sooner the better. And know that these types of fractures many times cannot be detected from a conventional x-ray. And whatever you do avoid taking any anti-inflammatory until cleared by your doc.

I wish you well!
Nancy

My friend (a doctor) had pain like that and pushed through it, and kept running. Until his foot broke! If it hurts, don't try to run through it. Rest it, and if it doesn't get better soon, see someone about it. Good luck!

I'm not quite sure what's going on with my right foot. I've been doing the spark to a 10K plan and was on week four. Haven't dramatically increased my mileage, really. Did one four mile run last week in 1:5 walk/run intervals and had no issues.

This week was a pretty mild one. Ran 2 on Monday, 3 on Thursday, 3 on Saturday. So, no huge leaps in mileage. Still running the same path (concrete path in park, moderately hilly) so I haven't increased hill work.

My shoes are only about 2 months old and I've only been running 3X a week for the last month or so, before that my running was only 1-2X a week at short distances. So, I doubt my shoes are worn out already?

I know that diet can affect bones and I have been vegan for 6 years. Just recently I've been paying special attention to my calcium intake and have upped it a lot. I haven't had any other signs of bone weakness in the last 6 years and do not have any of the other signs of the female athlete trifecta. ;) My protein/iron/calcium needs are being met daily per the tracker.

-----

Here's what happened. My run on Saturday was AWESOME. We did our three miles (in the rain, even) in 29:19, our fastest time yet, and felt great the whole time. No nausea, no breathing/cardiovascular or muscle/joint issues.

It was the best run yet! And then my foot started to twinge on the last .75 miles or so. Not horrible sharp pain but noticeable and not fun. It's been hurting ever since and is in a place that is notorious for stress fractures in runners. :/ Pretty much right over my middle and fourth toes on the metatarsals.

I'm not bruised and if I'm swollen it's not a lot but it does hurt to walk/go down stairs, etc. It's a bit tender to the touch but pressure doesn't cause me to black out in pain or scream, it just is sore. I'm hoping maybe I've just bruised my foot from the pounding and it's not an actual stress fracture?

From what I'm reading, a hardcore stress fracture is really noticeably awful. This is painful but nowhere near as bad as all the times I've broken toes (I'm a clutz, I went through a period where I was snapping toes right and left by catching them on walls, stairs, etc. It's been years since I've broken one, though.) I'm sitting at work right now and my foot has a dull pain in it, off and on, localized to that area of my foot. I can walk on it without horrible pain and I can bend my toes without any increased pain. I can go on tiptoe without increasing the pain.

Anyone have experience with this sort of either mild fracture or bruising who has some ideas on what I can do to help heal it up and/or avoid it happening again? Either way, fracture or bruise, from what I've read I'm benched from running/high impact stuff until I'm 100% pain free with walking. Sigh. At least I have my bike so my fitness won't suffer.

So bummed.