HELP! Could this be another stress fracture?

[Anonymous]

Okay so long story short, about 2 years ago I got a stress fracture on the lower part or my right leg. Not the shin, but more towards the side of it (the inside side, if that makes sense). I did go to a sport's medicine doctor and got it diagnosed, and I was told that I had to begin physical therapy for it. However, I was not able to make it to the appointments and decided to just let it heal on it's own.

So I'm a long distance runner, and that is how I got the fracture in the first place. It took almost a year to heal, and then I started running again off and on. About two weeks ago I decided to finally start running regularly again after not running for three months. But a few days ago I started getting this pain on the same spot where I had my stress fracture.

It doesn't hurt nearly as much as the fracture did, and it doesn't hurt when I touch it, but it hurts when I put weight on it. So it hurts to walk. And I can run but it hurts to. I can't currently go to a doctor so I'm just wondering if it's something serious or not. Should I stop running altogether? Having to stop running is the most frustrating thing for me, but I really don't want to get another stress fracture because that year that it took to heal was absolute hell so I would really appreciate any opinions!

[crowplane]

I had the exact same problem that kept me from running for quite awhile. Based on what you posted, you may have opened up that stress fracture. If you were diagnosed with a stress fracture, you need too stay away from running. Period. It sucks but if you ever want to run again you need to stay off it. Build lower leg muscles in the calves and dorsiflexors. Also focus on the tendons and ligaments and get those stronger and more supple. The best way to begin running again is about six or more months after the diagnoses, at least, and begin very slow. Run for 10 minutes a day at a slow pace. It is hard to do but if you keep conditioned with other low-impact excercises and work on building strength in the lower legs, you will be at full speed in no time. Inbox me if you want to I can give you better details since I researched a ton when I had stress fractures. Good luck!

[peachblossomluck]

You need an x ray and some kind of leg brace probably.