March fracture

[FLOSSIE]

I recently started to try and take up exercise again and did Reebok Step on my Wii fit. I did not land funny or slip, but after an hour my foot was in pain. I visited the doctor who advised me I had a March fracture.

My doctor advised me to take Ibuprofen, wear tie up shoes or trainers and wear a tubigrip. I have done all but the shoes as I couldn't get any to fit comfortably as my foot was swollen. In the evenings at home I am wearing my slippers but after being on my feet after a day the whole of my underside of my foot is constantly throbbing and when I first step on it in a morning it really hurts. I only did this on Saturday and my Doctor says it can take up to three weeks to heal, but is what I am experiencing what happens? The pain now seems to have moved from the top of my foot to the side and underneath.

[Heidi]

Hi

THe only way to know for sure is by having an x-ray. Is this a possibility?

This kind of stress fracture is common in activities like step and marching, but not normally from only an hours activity. It normally builds up over a period of weeks and months.

If it doesn't clear up in a couple of weeks, consider seeing a sports injury professional to get a full assessment.

[FLOSSIE]

Hi Heidi

Many thanks for your reply.

To give you a little more info, I only went on the Wii Reebok Step for about 15-20 minutes, so am now wondering what kind of injury I do have if you say it is unusual to get this type of fracture after even an hour?

I went back to my doctors on Wednesday as I am still in pain. I haven't been taking any pain relief, which I know I probably should, but I do have Nurofen to take if the pain is unbearable. However as I suffer with peptic acid and have a prescription for that, I have tried to avoid Nurofen and put up with the pain and swelling. However, I didn't advise my doctor that I hadn't taken any Nurofen and he prescribed a stronger anti-inflammatory and increased my medication for my peptic acid as it would flare my stomach up. However, after having read the side effects of the Naproxen my doctor prescribed, I am not going to take them at all and only take the Nurofen if needed, whilst sticking to my normal dose of anti-acid tablets.

I am now wondering though if my foot would have got better with just the Nurofen anyway and have I hindered my recovery? THe doctor moved my foot about and it did hurt, but he said he doesn't feel an x-ray is necessary but if it is no better in 3 weeks, he will send me to Orthopaedics. If i knock it though, it reduces me to tears, my underside pad is puffy below my fourth and litlle toe, my foot throbs, I have pain in the top fleshy part which goes towards my third and fourth toe and my arch hurts. The doctor says I should not rest it, but to carry on as normal, but after being on my feet a lot it realyy hurts. I am a busy mom, with a husband and two dogs so never rest anyway!

What further advise would you give me please? I don't think I can wait three more weeks as my doctor has suggested.

Many thanks.

[Heidi]

Have you been doing step regularly for short periods? A stress fracture is usually an injury that builds up over time, so if this wasn't a one off a stress fracture is possible.

I think if you are in that much pain then an x-ray should be the next step.
I also think that if possible you should take the anti-inflammatories - they should help.