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Unusual calcaneal stress fracture ?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Bohrsy88
Bohrsy88

Hi All

I have had an ongoing injury for almost a year now and am at the point of bad depression and anxiety with it. I hoped someone here might be able to provide some support and advice. Sorry for the long essay to follow but any help is so appreciated! 

It started with my heel pad swelling after a night out dancing with friends (in flat ballet pumps- not very supportive). I couldn't put weight on it so rested all weekend and swelling went down. I wore trainers from that day forward and it felt a lot better but I had a niggly discomfort. I saw various people (Physio, osteopath etc) who all diagnosed plantar facitis and got me rolling balls under my foot doing toe curls etc. 

It got worse and in Jan it was very swollen in the heel pad and I couldn't walk on it without bad pain. I saw a foot and ankle specialist and had an MRI which showed an abnormal white patch inside the heel bone like a stress reaction but it was a blob rather than a line like with most stress fractures, and it was adjacent to the plantar fascia insertion. The fascia itself is normal. My doc was baffled and ordered a CT scan which was normal. 

I tried about five weeks in a short aircast and crutches and during week five the swelling decreased a lot and I tried walking but it was still very painful. I've been on and off crutches for six months and the injury remains.

I have just switched docs and now seeing a podiatric surgeon. He did a new MRI and the injury has reduced from 13mm to 9mm, he thinks it is a weird stress fracture.  The issue is it's at the fascia insertion so any walking or weight bearing pulls at the fracture site. He has out me in a long aircast this time for six weeks. 

My question is has anyone else heard of a stress fracture in such a position? If so is six weeks long enough and is it ok to walk with the aircast on?

I'm desperate for it to get better as I'm only 26 and am getting married on a few months! I can't workout and am gaining weight from being so inactive for so long :-( 

Thanks for any advice! 

Catherine x

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • sue21470
    sue21470 Bohrsy88

    Posted

    Hi Catherine

    Hope you recover soon. Please listen to your doctor's advice. I am following advice from my Consultant 2. My arm fracture has healed after about 5 months following a medical plan and at a suitable time physio. I have had to be patient for a while 2. The nurse has given me a diet plan 2.

    God bless.

    Sueconfused

    • Bohrsy88
      Bohrsy88 sue21470

      Posted

      Thanks sue I am following his advice I just worry about walking with the aircast on but he said its fine. I hope he is right! Lots of luck with your recovery too. Catherine 
    • sue21470
      sue21470 Bohrsy88

      Posted

      Hi Catherine

      Actually I had a serious fracture following fall and needed an op and plate and screws and a pin put into my arm or upper humerus near shoulder region.

      I need to decide if I have the pin removed in day op to improve my arm movement soon.

      I wish you good health and a happy wedding day!

      Kind regards

      Sue

  • laurenalicia13
    laurenalicia13 Bohrsy88

    Posted

    Hello Catherine,

    I'm currently suffering from the same injury-calcaneous stress fracture plus a 5th metatarsal stress fracture. Developed during increasing running mileage, in old sneakers, I twisted my ankle during my long run but finished. Not smart. Anyways. I'm also in a short aircast for the past couple weeks. I have tried to come out to transition to sneakers but I still have this weird tingly, numb sensation and I know I just need to stay in the boot. Ugh, no suggestions, just wanted to say I feel for you..

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