Coping with a Stress Fracture

[Skilzat85X]

So over a couple past sessions I noticed this slight discomforting pain my left shin, for a little while, at seemingly random intervals. At first I thought it was one of those random aches, but it became recurring. A few I suspected shin splints, then did some research and found out shin splints apply to the entire shin, whereas stress fractures apply to one specific localized part, which was what I was feeling. And finally today during my session, while trying to avoid landing on my left leg, I still had to catch myself with my left leg a few times, and the stress became certain.

So, I'm positive I've developed a stress fracture in my left shin (my right shin is safe though, weird). It isn't a huge tremendous pain, it's not really that bad, but I do feel something and I'm paranoid so I'm no longer taking any chances.

No tricking for at least a few weeks, probably a few more weeks added on to that. :eh:

Coincidentally enough this happened after I decided to stop wearing shoes outside. I'm not sure if this was a major factor though, seeings as outdoor tricking doesn't make up the majority of my training.
I believed this was caused by too much landing on that leg (well obviously), because it's my hyper/swiping leg, meaning whenever I land on it it's usually coming swiping to the ground faster than my other one.
Also, I believe this could have also been prevented if I had a consistently higher intake of calcium. I haven't been strength training (because I did not want it to interfere with my tricking, ironically) in at least a couple months, and subsequently haven't really been drinking my shakes (whey + milk only), which I think could have helped the situation.

Anyways, other than no tricking, I plan to use this time to focus more on conditioning. Powering/speeding up basic kicks, stretching, and strength training, along with incorporating more calcium into my diet.


At any rate, any comments or suggestions in this scenario would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'm wondering if it would be beneficial to perform tibial strength training exercises (shin raises and blah blah all that other stuff) whiiile the stress fracture is still healing. I can feel the pressure in the bone when it comes up but I believe my shin muscles remain unaffected, but I still don't want to try working on my shins if it will aggravate the fracture.

I guess that's all I have to say. Thanks for reading! :punched:

[-Pat-]

Haha dude. You push your body, you get some injuries. It's just the way it goes brah! Not sure if you need to worry about your calcium intake or anything like that. There are special straps you can buy for your shins that have helped me minimally in the past. Sure, some conditioning wouldn't hurt, but as my old man says: "pain is the price you pay to be alive". Just give it time to rest.

'Shin splints' is a pretty generalised term, and I can't remember the proper name for it at the moment. Anyways I'd be a bit wary of self-diagnosis for things like stress fractures - if you think it's that serious you're probably best to get scanned or see a physio. If you have to see a general practitioner to get an X-ray form, remember that he/she isn't a sports specialist, so expect that any advice given will be very limited/shitty. I went to a GP once about a similar shin problem, and she basically told me that I had sore shins.

[anfeyd]

I'd get an x-ray to see if it is actually a stress fracture. If it is an injury to a muscle your rehab process will be a lot shorter and you won't dick around wondering what kind of an injury you have and swaying both ways regarding rehabilitation.

[Skilzat85X]

Thanks guys :smile:.

I referenced a handful of sites and they all said that regular X-Rays won't detect stress fractures until they're well underway with the healing process. Think it doesn't matter?

Also, hmm I should probably also say that today I half crashed a trick so I fell back onto my leg and put massive amounts of pressure on it. It was then that I could feel all of the pressure and a distinct pain in one small area of the bone itself, it's very peculiar. I'm all for going to the doctor, and I probably will either way ahah, I just don't want it to be a waste of time. But better safe than sorry, I guess.

[frankinstine]

That sucks dude. Hope your rehab goes well.

[compleks]

Hmm, that sucks. Rest up and let it heal properly.

A few weeks ago I decide to up my cardio and went for a few runs, on the concrete path along the beach.
I have very flat feet and shoes give me all sorts of blisters and foot problems. So, I did the smart thing and ran wearing wetsuit 'shoes'. I'm pretty sure I have a stress fracture in my left foot now.

It comes and goes, but I'm far too stubborn to take a break from my training.

[Zenchi]

You [skilzat and compleks] might wanna take a little break from tricking/running. Right now you may not know whether its shin splints or a stress fracture but let it heal . If you do trick/run just take precautions wrap your shin up. Go to the doctor, but he won't be able to do much for you at the moment though.

The a diffirence between a shin splint and a stress fracture is,a stress fracture is a fracture, and a shin splint is seperation of the tibia and fibula. And yes stress fractures do suck.

So PRICE it,and happy healings?

[compleks]

I'm staying on the bike for a while, which means no more running. I don't trick, so that's not a problem.

Wrestling is probably the thing which is aggravating it most at the moment. Also, the fact that my wrestling shoes are too small probably isn't helping things.

Anyway, like I said, I'm far too stubborn to rest it. Even though I know I should, and would tell anyone else to. I just can't seem to take my own advice.
It's feeling better today.

[anfeyd]

You [skilzat and compleks] might wanna take a little break from tricking/running. Right now you may not know whether its shin splints or a stress fracture but let it heal . If you do trick/run just take precautions wrap your shin up. Go to the doctor, but he won't be able to do much for you at the moment though.

The a diffirence between a shin splint and a stress fracture is,a stress fracture is a fracture, and a shin splint is seperation of the tibia and fibula. And yes stress fractures do suck.

So PRICE it,and happy healings?

Actually, the origin of shin splints is still indefinite.

[Rahf]

Skilzat: go see a physio, and rest it for now. This is not the point where you wave the comment away and say that it's nothing serious. I reckon it will do you good to see him/her even if it's not serious. So do it, make the call and schedule a time.

Compleks: easy on the foot mate, feel it for a couple of days and see if there's any change.

Both of you: Heal up and get back to having fun. Stay safe!

[compleks]

Don't be an idiot like me guys, if you have an injury, get it checked out ASAP.

[anerky]

motivation to rest...
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=3111847

[Final Prophecy]

Its okay skilz, I have a stress fracture in my upper back right now and THOSE take months to heal!

Actually whats really going on is that one of the bones in my spinal column is twisted to the right, and apparantly the wall of muscle in my upper right back is weaker now.

Its hurting like shit and soccer season starts next week.

[anfeyd]

Its okay skilz, I have a stress fracture in my upper back right now and THOSE take months to heal!

Actually whats really going on is that one of the bones in my spinal column is twisted to the right, and apparantly the wall of muscle in my upper right back is weaker now.

Its hurting like shit and soccer season starts next week.

How did this happen?

[Skilzat85X]

Thanks for the input everyone!

No worries guys, I'm not gonna try to play this off. I'm definately stopping all forms of impact activity (tricking running jumping etc) to it.

However, my initial question still remains unanswered. :punch: Tehehe.

Provided it is a stress fracture (which a physician should help me clarify), would it be beneficial or detrimental to exercises the shin muscle as the shin bone recovers? If I can I'd like to start, but if not I have no problem waiting until it's recovered to start working it up.

[Rahf]

Put the exercises on hold until the physio has his or her say in it.