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Original poster

When this cast comes off my leg will I be able to go running again?

20 replies

OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 13:52

Because I keep getting the glooms from fellow runners who insist that at my age (43) I may never be able to get back to regular longish runs . I'ev broken a metarsal in my right foot. They keep suggesting the gym or the swimming pool.

Anyone had something like this and gone back?

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 14:25

Please?

OP posts:
asicsgirl · 30/09/2008 14:36

orm i don't have experience but just saying hi. you don't need to hear this kind of thing atm do you. 43 doesn't seem past it to me so i wouldn't give up hope yet! i imagine it will take a while to gradually build up again and you may need to cross-train for a bit.

not sure if this is what you have but this article suggests ca 5% of march fractures fail to heal properly. that sounds like a small risk to me. and if you are worried abt regaining lost fitness i think the current wisdom is that if you were fit before you can get back there - maybe not immediately but in time!

maybe a sports injuries clinic could help with rehab once the cast is off?

good luck and try not to lose heart yet

avenanap · 30/09/2008 14:40

There isn't any reason why you shouldn't HOWEVER you need to keep off the strenuous excercise for a while until the fracture heals properly. Your doctor/physio should be able to tell you more. A cast immobilises the limb and will weaken any muscle in that area so it's really important to start off with something light like swimming. You should be offered some physio once the cast is off to help you regain the movement in your foot.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 14:41

OK. Thanks asics.

I have some health insurance for just this sort of thing. I guess I just want to get it all back quickly.

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 14:42

Thanks avenap. I was thinking of using the cross trainer at DGH's gym. But I may just go to my old gym - owner is a sports phsyio.

OP posts:
avenanap · 30/09/2008 14:43

That's a good idea.

asicsgirl · 30/09/2008 14:45

gym may not be so bad orm, you can get your hr right up on stationary bike/ cross trainer. i know it's not the same but a few little endorphins do start whizzing around and if you have to keep it low impact it's better than nothing.

pistachio · 30/09/2008 14:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 14:55

It's not a bad break at all pistachio. In fact they didn't realise it was broken at all to start with

Gp suggested that possibly bone density might be an issue for me as I'm approaching the menopause. And it broke after such a small incident. I think I'm just a bit paranoid.

OP posts:
pistachio · 30/09/2008 14:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

asicsgirl · 30/09/2008 15:13

isn't weight bearing exercise supposed to be good for bone density? with all your running orm you're less likely to get osteoporosis if i understand it correctly.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 15:25

That's what I thought too asics.

I think I need to have a good talk to her. I went to see her last week about a load of other health stuff that is going wrong and she was chucking out ideas like confetti. And i'm just getting confused - maybe about nowt. So talk to GP again when I see her next week, see what the blood test say, and take it from here.

Thanks for letting me talk this through everyone. So many things going on in my head atm.

OP posts:
Mikafan · 30/09/2008 15:27

OrmIrian, why don't you try posting on the Runners World forums, they may be able to help and give more ideas

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 30/09/2008 15:33

Oh firstly for some reason your thread has made me really want to get back into running. I hate myself for stopping.

In maybe good news my cousin broke her femur in four places snowboarding, had it pinned, in hospital for two months, traction etc and after a year she is running just as before.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 15:45

I will try mikafan. My last query there fell on deaf ears though

devil - thanks for that! I am missing it so much. Even if I had to wait a while I'd be happy if I knew I'd be alright in the long run.

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 30/09/2008 15:49

Nothing better than a really long run, it really makes your head clearer doesn't it?

I hope you recover well.

10krunner · 30/09/2008 15:51

Yeah, its a bit like that there for me too. I posted on there about half an hour ago and not one person has come back to me. It can be a very cliquey place

tissy · 30/09/2008 15:53

How did you break the metatarsal?

Original poster
OrmIrian · 30/09/2008 15:56

I stubbed my toe on a rock

But I am thinking of making up a story about abseiling or mountain climbing.....

OP posts:
tissy · 30/09/2008 21:39

OK, so not a march fracture.

No reason why it sholudn't heal up fine. You will be a bit below par for a few months, but when you feel you can walk comfortably, try walking briskly, when you can do that try a gentle jog, and so on. You'll be fine.

Go swimming too, you'll be able to work the muscles without impact. You'll get better quicker

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