Tibial stress fracture?
(2 discussions)
I believe that I have a tibial stress fracture. At this point maybe in both legs.
My GP told me to take 2 aleeve per day, and come back in 2 weeks if I’m not better (he didn’t even “touch” my leg). That was 2 weeks ago, and my pain has only intensified. To the point that I can barely walk after about 9:00 am. I still have a 2 week wait to see an orthopedic surgeon.
I’m still playing volleyball 3 nights per week. We’re in playoff season, and I can’t justify NOT playing without a diagnosis.
Other than more pain, what is the outcome of continuing volleyball until I have an official diagnosis?
Also, other than rest, what is the treatment for a stress fracture?
2 comments
Muscledawg
I think Runnerchick is right on with her diagnosis. I would think it rare to have stress fractures on both sides. If you are suffering from shin splints and your doc should have done some exam and history to differentiate among the different causes of lower leg pain to diagnose it as shin splints or not.
Either way, anti-inflammatories, ice and avoiding painful movement (Stop Playing even w/o a diagnosis since it getting worse!!) is right (you may be too inflammed for your doctor to make a determination now which might account for the apparent brush off) and when the symptoms have calmed down (s)he can make a better determination of whats wrong and how to go forward.
If it’s a stress fracture a moderate return to activity is whats required to load the bone to strengthen it. If it is shin splints you can reduce your volume of training to that which just brings on your symptoms and stay there until you develop more strength in your tibialis anterior muscles and the symptoms subside. From there you’ll be able to increase again unitl symptoms appear and wait until you develop the strength to avoid them.
Good Luck,
Muscledawg.
runnerchick
It’s shocking to hear that your doctor didn’t make a effort to diagnose your problem, so its probably a good idea that you’re going to see an ortopedic surgeon.
I’ve suffered more than one tibal stress fracture in the past as a result of running so I can relate to what you’re going through. From what your message indicated, I’m assuming that the only activity that you do is volleyball, right? If this is the case, I’d say that its most likely that you have midial tibial stress syndrom (shin splints) rather than a stress fracture, which requires loads of impact such as that done by distance runners. When playing volleyball, you jump up and down a lot and make a lot of jerky movements, so for whatever reason this could lead to the weardown of the muscles along your shin or lead to a “bone strain”, both of which are lumped under the broad diagnosis of shin splints.
As far as treatment, rest is probably going to be your best bet, whether your problem IS a stress fracture or shin splints. The anti-inflammatory is definitely a good idea and I would recommends icing your legs for 15 minutes 3-4 times per day.
Anyhow, hope this helps!
runnerchick