Lower tibia stress fracture?

[javabud]

I went to see the dr about a knot and tenderness on my lower tibia 4 weeks ago. It had been hurting - tender since back after my full marathon but was more annoying than anything else. I continued to run until I went to see what the problem was because it became very tender at the know. Dr took xrays and said it was a stress fracture but it was in the healing stages, 3-4 weeks of non-running and I should be good to go. WRONG! So I ran this past week and the knot came back up and is now tender again! THe knot never totally went away during these 4 weeks of non-running but it went down and was not tender at all. The Dr first thought it was a busted blood vessel but he said after a closer look it was indeed a stress fracture. Something about how the bone had a bulge on it said to him it was a stress fracture and was healing.

My question is if it is / was a stress fracture why would the knot come back this past week? This is getting frustrating and thought I would ask here before going back to the Dr.

Chad

[Alex D]

Hi Chad

The 'knot' you describe will not go completly as this is where the bone has healed. I suspect the reason the 'knot' reduced is because any inflammation to the area will have gone down in your time resting from running and the area has inflammed again when you did your run after the rest period.

It is worth noting that stress fractures can take 4-8 weeks to heal and are normally caused by an acute change in training habits such as increasing the distance your running too quickly. I would advise seeing a Sports Therapist/Physiotherapist who can resolve any causes, biomechanical or otherwise, and take you through a well designed graduated rehab programme.

Hope this is of some help

Alex

[javabud]

This helps but should I take an additional 4 weeks off to give me a total of about 8 weeks of no running? While running the area doesn't bother me but afterwards is when it gets tender.

Chad

[Heidi]

I agree. 4 weeks off is probably not long enough if it is a definate stress fracture.
I would also look into correcting any possible causes of the injury - such as biomechanics - do you need different trainers, do you have tight calf muscles, weak outer hip muscles etc etc. As already mentioned a sports injury professional would be able to advise you on this.