If you have a stress fracture do you get a cast?
First of all, if you really have a stress fracture, you need the x rays and diagnosis from the Dr. GO! No matter what else. I've had 3 stress fractures, one in my foot and one in each ankle, and I've had better luck with podiatrists taking care than orthopedists. But either will do. You can probably go to an Urgent Care place and avoid the emergency room hassle. The general rule with a fracture is to immobilize, with the boot if the fracture is not too bad, with the cast if it's more than a stress fracture. There is a two week acute healing period when they may tell you not to walk on it at all. Then generally the Docs think 6 weeks for bone healing but you might be able to walk on it. Or they may put a cast on it for 2 weeks and then go to the boot. Only the MD can figure it out because you have to see the fracture on the xrays first. Please go TODAY and then let us know. Good luck!
Do stress fractures reoccur easily?
I'm currently recovering from a season-ending stress fracture to the sesamoid bone of my foot caused by over-training during track season. I'm in a walking cast for 6 weeks which will hopefully heal the fracture with no complications. I am wondering, however, if this injury is likely to come back again next year during track since I've already fractured it once?
If you fracture your foot and get some type of cast or boot can you still walk without crutches?
if you have broken anything you are likely to get a non weight bearing plaster of paris cast - you will not be able to walk on it, you will need crutches and you cant get it wet other wise it will fall apart you may get a walking cast or boot when you have a follow up appointment in the next few weeks btw a fracture and a break are the same thing
How do I heal stress fractures the best and quickest?
I tried running about the equivalent of a marathon without training for it. I am athletic, but that is another beast to deal with. I couldn't even run much more than half of it. I have 2 stress fractures in my feet. One in each. One near my left ankle bone and the other is on my right and is likely a metatarsal. I didn't have any X-rays to prove it. You just kinda know sometimes. I have gone over 2 months without running or serious sports and it's still not healed up. I was working some and maybe this slowed the healing, as I was on my feet and lifting some stuff now and then. I've drank more milk than usual, taken some calcium supplements, actually laid off pop, which science has proven to contribute towards fractures later in life. Caffeine also leaches calcium. I am 29. Have no insurance. Wanted to try a PEMF device(bone-growth stimulator), but not enough money. Is there a place I could rent one?? Have crutches at home, haven't used them much. Suggestions, other?
Hairline fracture of the fibula and no cast or boot...?
Okay...your doctor did the right thing. The fibula is the small bone in your lower leg and is not the main weight-bearing bone. A hairline fracture is usually not cause for a cast. I broke the ulna in my arm last summer (hairline) and I did not wear a cast. The bone should heal completely within about 4 weeks. You should try to keep most of your weight off that leg. If your pain level is still high, talk to your doctor to see if you might need additional support. Are you using crutches? They may not be necessary but that would be your doctor's decision. Also, putting a cast on a swollen extremity is not a good idea since if swells more, the cast could cut off circulation. He may be waiting for the swelling to go down. Remember RICE...rest, ice, cold, elevation.
What cast should I put on for my ankle hairline fracture?
Peter Gerbino is correct. It depends on your pain, your activity level, etc. Immobilization for a hairline fracture is not always recommended if you don't need it. The reason for that, especially because there is tendon involvement, is that immobilization also causes the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to lock up along with the rest of your foot. It can really lower you ankle mobility and that is something you do not want when you are recovering from an injury to your foot. Rest, use ice on the area, use a small tensor band to reduce swelling, and elevate your foot above your heart. Hope this helps; speedy recovery!
Will a stress (hairline) fracture heal on its own?
Stress fractures , most of the time, will and can heal unaided without treatment. However, there are two reasons you may want to seek a doctor for this. 1) Cause -- You may have a nutritional, organ, or other deficiency/problem leading to weakened bones that needs to be addressed to prevent future problems. (Could be simple as vitamin D supplmentation/Calcium etc) 2) Reinjury and delayed healing due to location -- Given it is on your foot/heel it is going to be in constant contact with force -- walking, driving, sitting, etc. You may need a boot to cushion the area to allow for expedient and proper healing. It is a common misconception that because a stress fraction is generally 'inline' within the bone it needs no treatment. This may be the case many times, but for aforementioned (and sometimes other) reasons they can need some attention.