Doc On The Run Podcast

The only time a runner with a stress fracture should take ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a very popular medication among runners. I have seen ibuprofen tablets scattered on the course at every marathon and triathlon I have ever done. 

Runners take it when they have aches and pains, or to get through races, but I can tell you that there is only one valid reason to take ibuprofen.

To me, the only time a runner with a stress fracture should take ibuprofen is when you have what I call a non-skippable race.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about the only time a runner with a stress fracture should take ibuprofen. 

6 step stress fracture framework simplified

If you are a runner, it is critical that you do not lose your running fitness while waiting for a stress fracture to heal. Because that puts you at risk of getting another stress fracture once you have recovered and start running again. 

I am always trying to think about a way that I can simplify the explanations of what I do with runners when they call me because they are not getting better after a period of being in a fracture walking boot for way too long. 

There are really six steps that I follow. 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast, we're talking about my six-step stress fracture framework. 

2 most dangerous parts of a run with a stress fracture

After you recover from a stress fracture and you are getting back to running, there really are some details you have to pay attention to if you want to avoid a re-injury. 

The name of the game is increasing your activity to the point that your metatarsal stress fracture can withstand the stresses you are applying to it. 

What are the two most dangerous parts of a run when you have a stress fracture? 

Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast. 

 

MRI or X-Ray for large stress fracture callus remodeling?

When you get a metatarsal stress fracture from running, if you get a crack in the bone, it will eventually start to heal.

If you keep exercising, walking, running, doing elliptical training, and you are aggravating the fracture at all, the bone callus will get larger. 

Over time, the bone callus will remodel, and that lump will get thinner. The lump of bone will get smaller.

But if you are having pain because you have a huge lump of bone in your foot, at some point you might want to take a look at it with medical imaging.
 
Should I get an MRI or an X-ray when I have a large bone callus after a stress fracture, and I want to assess the callus remodeling? 

Well, great question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast. 

What is plastic deformation of a metatarsal stress fracture in a runner?

Metatarsal stress fractures are something I talk about a lot because they are one of the most common reasons a runner has to stop running. 

One of the reasons you would stop running is that you do not want something called "plastic deformation" of the healing metatarsal. 

What is plastic deformation of a metatarsal stress fracture in a runner?

Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast. 

 

Only 3 reasons for stress fracture re-injury

If you get an aching pain in your foot when you are running, and it turns out it is a metatarsal stress fracture, you are not alone. Stress fractures are extremely common. 

But the last thing that you need is to stop running, take all this time off, get it to heal, and then get re-injured when you start running again. 

There really are only three reasons that I see in runners when they get re-injured after they have fully recovered from a metatarsal stress fracture. 

Are there really only three reasons for stress fracture re-injury? 

Well, yes, and that is what we are talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast. 

5 causes of foot pain after metatarsal stress fracture healed

One of the most common causes of foot pain in runners is a metatarsal stress fracture. 

Most of the runners who get a metatarsal stress fracture, complain of an aching pain in the middle, on top of the foot. 

This episode is going to explain some of the reasons a runner may have pain after a metatarsal stress fracture has “healed” and you are starting to run again. 

What are five causes of foot pain after a metatarsal stress fracture heals? 

Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

Ultra-injury secret weapons from Isobel Ross 7th woman finisher at North Face 100

Imagine you are months into training for an ultra-marathon. You are entering your peak build phase. You feel strong. You're excited about your upcoming race and the possibility of a new PR.

 

Then you get an aching pain in your foot and you're told you have a stress fracture. 

 

If you found yourself in that exact situation, and you had to choose one, which would you pick:

 

1. a doctor who understands running injury treatment 

2. a coach who understands training with injuries

 

My personal opinion is that having a coach who understands training through a running injury is actually way more important than having a doctor who understands running injury treatment. 

 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we are talking with Isobel and Ron of Peak Endurance Coaching about mindset, training shifts and what ultra-coaching has taught them about avoiding re-injury when training for ultras.

Fibular Stress fracture and need to run in 25 days

Today's episode comes from a comment posted on one of the videos on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel.

This was on the video that this person watched. It was called, “Can I still run after I heal a fibular stress fracture?” and in that video, I was trying to talk about how you can decide basically whether or not you can run after you have had a fibular stress fracture. 

He said:

“Hello, I got a fibular bone crack while running and I have an army physical in 25 days. Please tell me the solution due to which I will be able to give my physical fitness test.”

I got a fibular stress fracture, and I have to run in 25 days. What should I do? 

Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast. 

 

53 year-old runner with plantar plate sprain advice?

Today's episode actually comes from a comment posted on a video on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel. That specific video was entitled "Best Exercise for Plantar Plate Sprain in Runners."

“Hi Doc, awesome help in all these plantar plate videos. I have been told by my podiatrist that I have a grade one possible border lane, grade two sprain/tear, and I am struggling to get it to heal while I keep running.”

What should a 53-year-old runner with a plantar plate sprain do? 

That's what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.