Anyone had a stress fracture?

[Libby Pritchett]

So, being as I've put off calling the dr this week, and it's now the weekend, I've decided to self-diagnose until I can call on Monday. LOL

My foot has been hurting for about week now, and it's getting worse. It's on the top of my left foot - the little bone that leads to my big toe. When I curl my toes or put pressure on that area, it sends a sharp "burning" pain up my foot. I can bend my toes back without pain, but I can't curl them down.

I don't have ANY idea what I've done to it. I didn't fall or injure it in any way that I know of.

So, that makes me wonder if it could be a stress fracture. If that's the case, I'm wondering how it's usually treated and what the healing time would be. I know what I've googled, but I thought I'd ask "real" people to see what your experiences have been.

And I have to admit that I hesitate to even post this cause the last time I tried to get you guys to help me diagnose something, I ended up being pregnant! LOL

So, anyone had this kind of fracture before?

[kscwgirl]

owie. I have no experience with a foot fracture like that though. I had to at the diagnose lol

[Leila]

Whether it's a sprain or a stress fracture, you're best bet is to just wear shoes for a while. With my Ehlers-Danlos, my toes frequently dislocate when I take normal steps. There's nothing I can really do to stop it from happening. Once it has, I have to wear shoes (a good supportive shoe, preferably something that ties) to stabilize things. I was told to do the same with the one stress fracture I did have in my foot.

That said, if you think it might be a fracture, getting it checked can be a good idea because stress fractures can get worse and become full breaks in the bone.

[Libby Pritchett]

SHOES!?!?! That's worse than like... shots or surgery or something. LOL

*sigh*

I think I'll call out to the base on Monday and see if they can get me in. Jeff is nervous cause my mom has such severe osteo, so any thought of a bone being broken or fractured stresses him all the way out.

Seriously though... I don't have time for this nonsense. At least Chloe is a newborn, so it's not like I'm chasing a toddler! LOL

[aggiefamily]

Ouch!

I was also going to suggest a good supportive shoe. I would go on in and have it looked at. Just in case it got worse they would have a baseline to compare to. Plus, if you need a brace or something you can get fitted right then.

[glumirk]

If you're anti shoes then that could totally be your problem. I had to start wearing crocs all day when we moved into our house with wood floors because my feet just couldn't handle flip flops or bare feet anymore. It was so depressing! I got to the point where I could hardly walk, so I ordered some mary jane crocs rx and they make a huge difference. I felt the pain (that I was afraid was a stress fracture) once I took my crocs off, but I felt fine when they were on. I could walk for mikes in flip flops before having DS, but I think something about having a baby messed my feet up. I seriously can't handle uncomfortable shoes anymore. I thought this day would come as a grandma, not in my mid-20s

[ayaandjudah]

ouch libby!!!! I hope the Dr can help!

[isaacsmom]

Yep...what they said. Supportive shoes. I work in an ortho office, and that is what the docs say all the time.

[julifish]

I was going to say the same thing. See a foot and ankle specialist and they can get you slip in arch supports and gel insoles for most shoes. Mine are most comfy in my sneakers, which is a pain to wear around the house...but better than foot pain.

[Tracie Stroud]

Ouch! I feel you on the no shoes thing. As soon as I get in the house, the shoes come off. Definitely go have it checked though. It can get worse if not treated.

[Libby Pritchett]

Thanks for the advice guys! You know, the no-shoes thing does make sense as I RARELY wear shoes. We have hardwood floors, so maybe my delicate bones just can't handle it. LOL The thought of wearing shoes at home makes me ill, but it's definitely better than being in pain. Maybe I need to start shopping for a nice comfy pair that I don't mind wearing.

Either way, I'll still call the dr tomorrow just to be on the safe side.

[jessica31876]

Is it possible you could have gout? I know it most commonly effects the joint in the big toe from what I have read about it

[Sherri Tierney]

I have been having similar pain and my first thought was a sprain. Mine has gotten better over the past few weeks but it isn't healed yet and I still have some pain. I know for a sprain they say RICE - rest, ice, compress, elevate. Resting was completely out of the question. Not only did I have to walk at work but I had sick kids who needed me and I was running back and forth taking care of the two of them. I never got around to the ice either but I did buy a wrap type brace to compress my foot and I elevated it whenever possible. The compression really helped.

See, I'm different in that I DO wear shoes at home. In fact, its rare that I don't have shoes on my feet. I take my sneakers off at night and slip in to my slippers until I take them off at my bedside. I wake up in the morning, put on my slippers and wear them until I put my sneakers back on. I don't like being bare foot... I burned the soles of my feet really bad back when I was a kid in Arizona (think 115 degree day and me standing on the blacktop road waiting on the ice cream truck) and ever since the soles of my feet have been really sensitive.