Tell Me About Stress Fractures

I think I might have a hip or femur stress fracture. Yes, I am going to the orthopedist/sports doctor this week, but all of my internet reading and asking questions of other runners have led me to believe that this is what I have.

What am I in for, really, as far as recovery goes? I am really struggling with the whole not-running thing right now (it’s been a week since I even attempted running, and what a terrible attempt it was, damn near landed me in the ER), and I’d really like to know if other exercise will be available to me while I heal. I don’t belong to a gym right now, but do have plans to join one soon, if it makes sense. No sense joining if I’m going to be totally sidelined.

So…who has had a stress fracture, and what can you tell me about the healing process, both physically and mentally? I’m a fairly new runner (approx 6 months; running 20-25 mpw) and, as hard as it was to not run for this past week, what scares me is that it’s actually getting easier—like inactivity is becoming acceptable to me. I don’t want to lose everything I have worked so hard for!

I have never had a stress fracture and I don’t run but…

A good friend of mine is a high school track coach. He says when his kids have fractures that have healed but they’re not able to run yet, or stress fractures, he takes them to the local pool and puts them in the deep end with an acquatic fitness belt which holds them up in the water and they can tread water as if they were running.

My local pool (rec center) has these available for use for free.

Of course, don’t do this unless your doctor says it’s cool. But it’s a good impact-free way to keep those hips and thighs in running condition.

Thanks, ZipperJJ!! I’m glad to have suggestions of what might be in the cards for me if it really is a stress fracture.

In all my years of hating junior high and high school sports, I never thought I’d be in a position where not being able to run make me so upset!

I broke my right foot in two places about three years or so ago. They were two tiny little stress fractures. I’m pretty sure I got them from jogging–I can’t think of any other way I could have broken my foot. Maybe it was due to running on concrete with less than ideal shoes.

Anyway, I went to the ER after six months of moderate to severe foot pain. During this time I was still running and playing sports, although I could tell something was wrong. This was stupid, but I was very fortunate. I didn’t need a cast or surgery. Minimal activity for about five months or so solved the problem. I had the follow up with the orthopedic surgeon, and apparently everything is all right now. I still jog, with no apparent aftereffects.

You’re doing the right thing, lorene, by going to the doctor immediately, unlike me. If you do have a stress fracture, you won’t be able to run for several months (I don’t think you needed me to tell you that). I remember the first time I went for a run in five months after I broke my foot. It was pathetic. I could hardly run a mile. Not because of pain in my foot, but because I was so out of shape.