Looking at either Extensor tendonitis (most likely) or a stress fracture in my right foot...

Trish Marshall

So, yeah.  Bummed out.  Did the Doctor Google thing after experiencing pain in the top of my right foot.  Have had an X-ray that was clear, but am scheduled for a MRI Thursday to rule out stress fracture and take a peek at the soft tissue.  I was to run the Las Vegas Marathon 11/12, but I know that is out of the question at this point.  I am not willing to risk next year for a race I was just *doing* with friends, that I was not invested in other than it was run durability and keeping me focused and moving in the off season.  

I have read that if its the tendonitis, a minimum 2 weeks rest  is required and am on day 8 of that.  Did a little swim and had a little pain.  Did a little bike and had a little discomfort after.  Did a little hike with no steep or hard bits and the next day, some pain while walking.  It isn't bad, but it IS there.  So, while I wait to find out definitely what my issue is, does anyone have any recommendations other than don't do s/b/r?  Anything I CAN do to maintain some fitness and or accelerate healing?  

I am using Aleve at bedtime (2 tabs) nightly, take  20g collagen peptides daily, and daily fish oil.  

Any thoughts or experiences greatly appreciated, and I will update of course, post MRI.  

Thanks!

Trish Marshall

UPDATE:  no MRI for me.  Thanks crappy insurance.   Bone scan instead which will I assume rule out or confirm stress fracture.  Really wish the MRI was a go to look at the soft tissue.  

Leslie Knight

Bone scan is better for r/o stress fix. MRI really isn’t going to tell you much about soft tissue except some swelling, which is not terribly helpful. 

Jason Veith

Booo... why did I have to read this.   Heal quickly!

Trish Marshall

Thank you @Leslie Knight for your input!  Much appreciated!!!  

@Jason Veith thanks for the healing juju!  Keep up those long runs for Vegas baby!

Jason Veith

@Trish Marshall  - Are you still making the trip???  I heard Vegas has a great cure for what ails you.  A GIANT pancake!!

Trish Marshall

LOL.  Yes,, the pancakes at Hash House A Go Go are pretty epic.  

I don't know yet.  It's a lot of $$$ without the race.  My hubby just went a couple weeks ago too, so while it's one of his favorite places, he's good for now.  Pretty much in a wait and see pattern. 

Trish Marshall

Got results today from the bone scan.  Bruised bone, not a fracture or tendonitis.  

My PCP said healing time is 2-4 months and I can exercise to pain tolerance.  I'm not sure how to proceed.  Googling the issue shows it can lead to stress fracture if too much is done too soon.  I am registered to run Las Vegas Rock N Roll Marathon 11/12/17 but clearly that is out.  I can drop down to the half or 10k though.  A big group is going.  BUT...I am aging up next year and would like to have a really solid build to IMKY and see what I can do after a couple lack luster years of training and racing.  I am more than willing to not run in Vegas if it means better training for 2018.

So, looking for feedback...should I start to run (maybe 2 miles ez?) and monitor foot pain post?  Or, stick with no running?  

I have not had acute pain of late, but even on busy days going up and down stairs, working in the yard or basement I've had some "twinges".  I know its not back to normal, but not I'm not in big pain either.  

I have read up on supplements/foods to help healing and am on that.  

Would love to hear any thoughts or experiences others may have!

Brian Hagan

@Trish Marshall, I had this on my left knee summer of 2016.  Unfortunately, it took several months to heal.  I was able to bike and swim, but I did not run June to September.  I hope it goes better for you!

Trish Marshall

Thanks for your input @Brian Hagan.  Most everything I am reading says the same thing....rest.  Might just stick to ez riding on the trainer and get back in the pool if I can NOT push off.  The one swim I did I had some pain afterwards later that evening and I only swam 1600.

Jason Veith

Trish Marshall said:

I have read up on supplements/foods to help healing and am on that.  

No no no... pancakes won't help an injured foot!   Hi Trish!

Mike Westover

@Trish Marshall, since your priority is IMKY and this is the kind of injury that can get much worse if you do too much too soon, I would nip it in the bud now. Maybe a few weeks of easy cycling and swimming without pushing off hard, then into more intense biking, holding off running until you are at that 2-4 month mark. Look at it as an opportunity for big cycling and swimming improvement. You will not lose your fitness that quickly if you keep cycling, but if this turns into a fracture or just doesn't go away that will have a big impact on your training next year.

Trish Marshall

@Mike Westover Thank you for your input! I spoke with a podiatrist this am and he confirmed my google doctor degree  Rest is best.  BUT...as you say, it can be time used well and to build strength instead of a pity party.  He suggests swimming primarily and weight training (no load to the foot like squats etc of course) and only high cadence spinning for now. I am already at week 3 of no running, so well on the road to recovery.  My weak link is running, and it is darn hard to not be working on that durability right now, but clearly, now is NOT the time!  

So, my plan of attack is swim, spin high cadence on trainer road (I did zwift yesterday but find I will push on the sprints a bit, so keeping it ez in free ride on trainer road instead!) and do some very unsexy myrtle work, push ups, upper body lifting and mobility homework I got from a gait analysis a couple years ago.  No reason I can't get stronger while not running (darn it!)