Stress Fractures

[gitarrunner]

I have a question, and be honest, don't just say it is stupid.

If you were to run one race on a foot with a mild stress fracture, could any serious damage actually be done?

[JSC.Rnr]

No. I competed the last three meets of the season on a tibial stress fracture (with doctor's approval) on the condition that I took 6 weeks off post-season.

[izzm]

Yes! Honestly, how can you figure that "no" is a possible answer.

If you break your knuckles, yet you continue to punch a brick wall, will that hurt your knuckles more? Of course. Same principle applies with running.

Running on a stress fracture can worsen the fracture to the point of a solid break or it can cause a "shatter" effect which will make recovery a hell of a lot longer.

Cross training is your friend. Don't run on a stress fracture.

[JSC.Rnr]

The question was pertaining to one race, not a series of grueling races or 100 mile weeks.

The cause of stress fractures (microscopic scale) is not known. The two theories are that increased activity either causes osteoclastic activity to outpace osteoblastic, resulting in bone weakness and microfractures, or that repetitive stress causes increased stress on bones at muscle insertions and that the resulting bending of the bone causes fractures.

While it is true that repetitive running on a stress fracture may cause an overt fracture, it is also true that osteoblastic activity may "catch up" to osteoclastic destruction and the fracture will heal regardless of running. Carrie Tollefson would be an example of a known athlete who has run through a stress fracture.

Your idea that a stress fracture will cause a "shatter" response is the ridiculous thing here. Perhaps if the run involved base jumping without a parachute, I could understand that.

Punching a brick wall and running on a stress fracture are not even close to the same. A trauma injury resulting from punching a brick wall would be a comminuted fracture, not a stress fracture, unless you were lightly tapping the wall several thousand times (highly unlikely).

Also, cross training such as elliptical and stationary biking is a terrible idea with a metatarsal fracture. Ellipticals and stationary biking would be placing repetitive stress (see above) on the metatarsals, and could potentially worsen the injury.

My advice: run the one race, shut it down for the season, rest up, and ease back into things.

[izzm]

The question was pertaining to one race, not a series of grueling races or 100 mile weeks.

Admittingly, I suppose I didn't read the post closely enough.

The cause of stress fractures (microscopic scale) is not known. The two theories are that increased activity either causes osteoclastic activity to outpace osteoblastic, resulting in bone weakness and microfractures, or that repetitive stress causes increased stress on bones at muscle insertions and that the resulting bending of the bone causes fractures.

While it is true that repetitive running on a stress fracture may cause an overt fracture, it is also true that osteoblastic activity may "catch up" to osteoclastic destruction and the fracture will heal regardless of running. Carrie Tollefson would be an example of a known athlete who has run through a stress fracture.

Dathan Ritzenhein would be an example of a known athlete who has run on a stress fracture and caused a solid break.

Your idea that a stress fracture will cause a "shatter" response is the ridiculous thing here. Perhaps if the run involved base jumping without a parachute, I could understand that.

I was just operating under the assumption that the fracture would weaken the bone directly around the fracture, leading up to many different fractures. I suppose I was thinking long term...

Punching a brick wall and running on a stress fracture are not even close to the same. A trauma injury resulting from punching a brick wall would be a comminuted fracture, not a stress fracture, unless you were lightly tapping the wall several thousand times (highly unlikely).

It isn't the same thing, but I believe my principle applies (which is what I was trying to do in the first place, and you seemed to miss).

Also, cross training such as elliptical and stationary biking is a terrible idea with a metatarsal fracture. Ellipticals and stationary biking would be placing repetitive stress (see above) on the metatarsals, and could potentially worsen the injury.

I've never given any advice on which cross training activities to perform. Honestly, it looks like you are trying to pick a fight :(

[gitarrunner]

Thanks for the advice. I've had a stress fracture but laid off doing bike workouts for a week. We have a shot at winning leagues so my points could mean something, and as soon as the race is over I'm breaking for about a month. Your thoughts if you'd like.

[JSC.Rnr]

The brick wall:stress fracture analogy is still inconsistent, because you were talking about from a pain perspective. Usually (although there are always exceptions) a stress fracture doesn't hurt to run on, but hurts like **** a few minutes after finishing.

I know you didn't suggest a particular method of cross training, but "bike and elliptical" is the most common response I've seen on stress injury threads.

Sorry for the confrontational attitude.

As for your plan, gitarunner, if you wait a month and begin to work up with cross training only at first, you'll do fine. Two weeks later (six total), you'll be fine for running. I'd suggest trails initially, just to help deal with the psychosomatic pains (they're a bitch).

[Gyro]

JSC knows his stuff...

[runshorty05]

No, it won't kill you to run one race on a stress fracture.

I ran two races and three weeks worth of XC practice on one, which wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done, but four weeks off and I haven't felt a bit of pain since then.

[Turin Turambar]

My Girlfriend ran a couple weeks on hers, thinking they were only shin splints. She figured she could just run through the pain. She ran at the Sub section meet and Mt. Sac, and now has been out for about 4-5 months. She recently tried walking a mile and a half a day to try to slowly ease back into it. It still hurts her, and she feels like she is not healing, though I am sure she is (slowly). I do not suggest running on it, but that is a personal decision. I would suggest pool running if you want to maintain aerobic and muscular fitness. But I'm no expert.

Turin Turambar

[dc449]

I'm breaking for about a month.

...pun intended? Anyways, it varies from person to person, and of course on how bad it already is. One race should not be a problem, unless it is already pretty severe (doesnt sound like it is).

[gitarrunner]

No, it's not severe at all- didn't even come up on the x-ray.

That's what I wanted to hear. Thanx.