Stress fracture in left foot?

[cougar978]

I have been working all winter trying to stay in playing shape for the upcoming season - my game has been spotty at best with the arctic weather of the past month (however, myself and a partner almost ended up winning the Snowman best-ball tournament in Norfolk as last-second entry - Jim Beam was my caddy - wind chills were in the teens both days).

Late last week, I started feeling a dull pain in my left foot, didn't think much of it, and kept on doing my thing. I played a round Saturday afternoon (riding), and after I came home, I had to put my foot in an ice wrap. My wife put her hand on my second to last bone in my foot (the 3rd metatarsal?), and it felt like it was broken. On Sunday, I went out and hit balls without much trouble, as well as did daily chores (grocery shopping, etc) that required walking.

Monday, I got on the treadmill for 2 miles walking on an incline, stil have a little pain, but not bad.

Today, I put on a pair of dress shoes for a trade show we were working, and it felt like my foot was broken at times, and at others it feels fine.

Anyone have similar symptoms, and if so, what treatment is available that doesn't entail wearing a walking cast that would essentially sideline me indefinitely?

[kpaulhus]

get it looked at...could be as small as icing daily and staying off your feet as much. Not to sound like the wussy way, but if it doesnt heal, it may end up having to be the boot.

[McIlroy_man]

i have had similar problems for a while now, but it started from playing football...well soccer to you guys...it has never got to the point where i cant walk or play golf and it has never given me enough trouble to go and get it checked out!

if your worried about it though then you should get it checked out...its quite a common problem for footballers over here and can have them out for a few months!

speaking of injuries though, ive just blown my shoulder hitting balls at the range! 2nd last ball as well...just hit it and something happened to my left shoulder...doc reckons it came slightly out of the socket and fell back in...cant play golf for 4 weeks!! ive never heard of it happening to anyone before, better not be a recurring problem

[iammpspeer]

I would go get it checked out... Let them decide what to do. But if it is a stress fracture, you're likely to be in a boot. I play on a club soccer team and one of my teamates is currently in a boot for a stress fracture.

[chaptowngolfteam]

i have had similar problems for a while now, but it started from playing football...well soccer to you guys...it has never got to the point where i cant walk or play golf and it has never given me enough trouble to go and get it checked out!

Once a joint subluxates, especially the shoulder, the capsule is loose and will most likely subluxate again.

I have been working all winter trying to stay in playing shape for the upcoming season - my game has been spotty at best with the arctic weather of the past month (however, myself and a partner almost ended up winning the Snowman best-ball tournament in Norfolk as last-second entry - Jim Beam was my caddy - wind chills were in the teens both days).

A fracture would be a sharp pain, so I am thinking a ligament issue. Can you describe where the pain is, top or bottom of foot, near joint? You said 2nd to last bone which would be the 4th metatarsal.

[lcfd42]

When you say it feels broken; Is there any crepitis involved or does it feel like a dull poping sensation? I believe you would have already visited a medical professional if you had crepitis. A "pop" could be a ligament rolling over a joint where it has partially torn away. Ligaments can present in many different was. If it is closer to the joint a tendon could be the problem. My suggestion would be get an x-ray and doctors opinion. Good luck with it.

[woodzie264]

with a stress fx you would pain with pressure on both the top and the bottom of the sore bone. Yes, a x-ray is the obvious next step, but some stress fx's can take several weeks to show themselves on plain films. The treatment of a nondisplaced stress fx is a rigid-soled shoe or boot which reduces the forces transmitted through the sore bone when weight is transfered through the forefoot during push-off phase of your normal gait. It can take 6-8 weeks of protection for solid healing...usually 4 weeks is adequate unless you're running/jumping on it.
You may be experiencing metatarsalgia, Freiberg's infarction (though usually seen in teen females), or a variety of other conditions so you should be checked if symptoms persist as treatment varies with conditions...

[jamo]

I would just go get it checked out. I'm not the type of person who goes to the doctor when i have a cold, but pain in your foot, it'll just make it more comfortable physically and mentally if you at least know what it is and find a way to treat it.

[cougar978]

Once a joint subluxates, especially the shoulder, the capsule is loose and will most likely subluxate again.

4th metatarsal, pain is centered above the joint, not on it. I went another two miles today with no trouble, so your explanation of ligament damage makes sense (hopefully).

[woodzie264]

4th metatarsal, pain is centered above the joint, not on it. I went another two miles today with no trouble, so your explanation of ligament damage makes sense (hopefully).

pain only on the dorsal surface of the joint without antecedent injury would mostly likely indicate extensor tenosynivitis....txt would consist of relative rest, rigid shoes, ice, and anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen)...glad to hear it's improving!

[cougar978]

pain only on the dorsal surface of the joint without antecedent injury would mostly likely indicate extensor tenosynivitis....txt would consist of relative rest, rigid shoes, ice, and anti-inflammatories (Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen)...glad to hear it's improving!

Thanks man - you just saved me a $20 copay!

[FHopper]

So many of you guys have no idea what is is to play OLD. Of course injuries should be checked out and treated, but I wonder how many of you know how much pain old people play through every time they hit the course. Like I said, I commiserate with the OP's situation and hope it gets better but the whole thing just made me smile.

[woodzie264]

... but the whole thing just made me smile.

your avatar made me smile

[Melisa Miller]

About 3 mths ago I noticed no matter what shoes I wore I would get intense throbbing pain in my left foot, the 4th & 5th toes, so I started only wearing flip flops. My job is one where I travel and walk everywhere all day. I did not do anything that I am aware of, except once wearing heels my foot slipped sideways when walking. Well now I am barely able to walk on the foot, I can put a little weight on the heel but even that hurts now. And the pain is ever constant and non stopping even when resting the last week or so.I have finally decided to go to podiatrist this Friday, hoping its something simple. Anyone have similiar incident.