A stress fracture is a break in a bone cause by repetitive stress. It may occur in any bone, but is quite common in the metatarsal bones of the foot. There is often no recollection of injury. The patient may simply develop a painful forefoot after some activity, such a walking, sports, or stooping down onto the ball of the foot. A small crack develops in the cortex (outer shell) of the bone. Without proper treatment, this may progress to a “through and through” (overt) fracture of the bone. The second metatarsal is the most commonly affected. Metatarsal stress fracture may not become apparent on x-rays until a few weeks after the injury.

So my x-rays are back. They show NO BREAK!!! Instead, they show evidence of a stress fracture  on the 2nd metatarsal that is healing. The doctor said it probably happened 3 weeks ago when I first felt pain.  If I had gotten it xrayed right away, it wouldn’t have shown up and he may have thought tendonitis since my foot isn’t swollen and doesn’t hurt a lot.   I didn’t ask if it would be more healed if I hadn’t run on it.  (I didn’t tell him that I ran on it.)

I am happy that I know what it is.  I am happy that it is healing.

Treatment is 2-3 more weeks in the boot.  The dr says that if it hurts to walk on it, then it’s not healed.  There’s no more xrays…just waiting.  No one can tell how long it will take.

I HAVE TO BE PATIENT!!! (And that’s not my strong suit.)

Happy Running!  Please send healing vibes my way!