Is this a stress fracture?!
Question: Is this a stress fracture.?
Hi I'm a 16 year old who runs for my high schools cross country team.. I went to the doctor today because I wasn't sure if I had shin splints or a stress fracture.. The pain is on my tibia on the inside of my leg(a localized spot an inch or two wide).. I got an x-ray but don't have the results yet.. If I do happen to have a stress fracture, it's in the very early stages.. Two days ago the pain was all throughout my shin, so I have only had the localized pain for about a day or two.. Is this a stress fracture.? If so, how long would it take to recover from an early staged stress fracture like this one.?
Please helpHealth Question & Answer
Please helpHealth Question & Answer
Answers:
You may not know.. An x-ray will not show a stress fracture until after it has healed.. You diagnosis a stress fracture for sure (prior to that time it takes to heal) by performing a bone density scan.. They can see a decrease in bone density as little as 7%.. Its kinda cool..
So......back to you.. Shin splints can easily turn in to stress fractures........ Recovery time takes about 6 weeks, although it can take loner if you continue to over do things..
So....what do you do.? Depends on if you are actively training now or not.. If you can take time off for active rest then that is the best.. If not, then go to a sports physical therapist that can keep you training while you get better.. Either way you will need to do some strength training to slowly stress the bone and cause it to addapt to you higher level of activity..
(Please note that the level of strength training will depend on your stage of healing)Health Question & Answer
So......back to you.. Shin splints can easily turn in to stress fractures........ Recovery time takes about 6 weeks, although it can take loner if you continue to over do things..
So....what do you do.? Depends on if you are actively training now or not.. If you can take time off for active rest then that is the best.. If not, then go to a sports physical therapist that can keep you training while you get better.. Either way you will need to do some strength training to slowly stress the bone and cause it to addapt to you higher level of activity..
(Please note that the level of strength training will depend on your stage of healing)Health Question & Answer
These are .?'s you really should have presented to the dr.. when you saw him/her.. Type in "tibial stress fractures" and click on the WebMD site........Boning Up on Shin Splints and Tibial Fractures.. VERY informative.. Good luck..Health Question & Answer