Question 1

how much swelling, pain is normal with a metatarsal stress fracture, 10 weeks in boot. how to tell if fracture has healed on x-ray- how much callus?

Accepted Answer

After 10 weeks, : There should be little if any pain. If there is mobility about the fractured bones calluses will increase. If there is little if any movement little to no callus. If there is still pain after 10 weeks, there may have been a non-union in which case further treatment may be needed. You should speak to your doctor and repeat the X-ray. Then you should have a better idea of  what is going on

Question 2

metatarsal stress fracture- 16 weeks of boot, crutches- pain, swelling. some callus evident but healing incomplete on x-ray. what can be done?

Accepted Answer

Slow to heal: You may want to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a Bone Growth Stimulator. Sometimes we fix these problems with surgery however it depends on many factors.

Question 3

3rd metatarsal stress fracture- 19 weeks boot, crutches. sore, swollen- not healed but exuberant callus. will it heal with boot or try other options?

Accepted Answer

Don't Move.: One very real cause of the "exuberant callus" is lack of, or less than, adequate stability of the fracture site. The movement must be neutralized and use of bone stimulator considered. When all else fails, surgerize.

Question 4

met. stress fracture- 34 wks not healed, orif 14 wks ago. dr, physio say callus, still healing- no running but walk in shoes. sore, swells- advice?.

Accepted Answer

Concerning: It is a little concerning that it is not yet healed.  Options are to give it more time, or use a bone stimulator, or consider addition of growth factors to area. The presence of callus there suggests some healing is occurring and it just may take more time.

Question 5

stress fracture 3rd met, not healed (some callus), sore, some swelling after 20 weeks. specialist says orif & bone graft to help healing. best option?

Accepted Answer

I would consider: A bone stimulator if u have not already

Question 6

does bump on shin mean stress fracture that is healing?

Accepted Answer

Possibly.: If you were diagnosed with a stress fracture in that area, a bump may indicate callous bone formation, or it could be inflammation of soft tissue.

Question 7

as a returning runner after a stress fracture in the tibia, what could pain in the arch of the foot mean?

Accepted Answer

Plantar fasciitis: It could be plantar fasciitis, or an arch ligament strain. This is a common source of arch pain.

Make sure you are returning to physical activities slowly initially, then increase as tolerated.  Make sure you are doing your stretches and your shoes are not excessively worn.

Question 8

if my foot has a stress fracture and now has a bruise does that mean it's healing?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Bruising (black and blue) occurs after a fracture when blood slowly settles in the soft tissue. It will resolve in a few weeks.  For a stress fracture to heal, it must be placed in a hard soled shoe to unload it from the movement of walking.  Also, activities such as running must be stopped.  It can then begin to heal.  Calcitonin nasal spray, a naturally occurring hormone, usually helps heal the bone faster and decreases bone pain.  Ask your orthopedist about it.

Question 9

can a brace heal a l5 bilateral stress fracture after being misdiagnosed for 6 months? it takes pain away from my back does that mean it's healing it?

Accepted Answer

Stress fracture: Your body can heal stress fractures -- the brace does not health them.  However, the brace stabilizes your back, allowing healing to occur.  Sometimes these fractures happen in athletes, and they need to temporarily stop the activity they were involved in while the healing process evolves. http://tinyurl.com/owhurk2.

Question 10

if there is still pain and some swelling with a metatarsal stress fracture- after 18 weeks boot, crutches- does it mean still injured? what to do?

Accepted Answer

No stress to stress.: Look at it this way. Every time you apply weight to a stress fracture, you are re-injuring it. These types of fractures are often underestimated as to their potential healing problems. Probably, it might be best, for all considered, to have a new set of eyes looking at your problem. Four and a half months is entirely too long.

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Doctor answers about:

What does callous formation mean after metartarsil stress fracture

A member asked:

How much swelling, pain is normal with a metatarsal stress fracture, 10 weeks in boot. how to tell if fracture has healed on x-ray- how much callus?

A member asked:

Metatarsal stress fracture- 16 weeks of boot, crutches- pain, swelling. some callus evident but healing incomplete on x-ray. what can be done?

A member asked:

3rd metatarsal stress fracture- 19 weeks boot, crutches. sore, swollen- not healed but exuberant callus. will it heal with boot or try other options?

A member asked:

Met. stress fracture- 34 wks not healed, orif 14 wks ago. dr, physio say callus, still healing- no running but walk in shoes. sore, swells- advice?.

A member asked:

Stress fracture 3rd met, not healed (some callus), sore, some swelling after 20 weeks. specialist says orif & bone graft to help healing. best option?

A member asked:

Does bump on shin mean stress fracture that is healing?

A member asked:

As a returning runner after a stress fracture in the tibia, what could pain in the arch of the foot mean?

A member asked:

If my foot has a stress fracture and now has a bruise does that mean it's healing?

A member asked:

Can a brace heal a l5 bilateral stress fracture after being misdiagnosed for 6 months? it takes pain away from my back does that mean it's healing it?

A member asked:

If there is still pain and some swelling with a metatarsal stress fracture- after 18 weeks boot, crutches- does it mean still injured? what to do?

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