Hip2Knees

"The Walking Boot"

If you have, then you have felt my pain: both physical and mental! Not only do you have to look silly for several weeks, sometimes months at a time while you heal, but you are unable to do the one thing that you love… the one thing that takes all your cares in the world away. For me, that was running.

About a year ago I was confined to what the medical world calls a ‘walking boot’ as an MRI confirmed that I had a stress fracture in my Left fibula and ordered me to wear this ‘walking boot’ for 6 weeks! UGH!!!   I couldn’t believe it, I mean, for someone that had survived years of impact through sports (Soccer/Dance/Gymnastics/Track) I just couldn’t believe that running of all things could break me!

Stress fractures:

The Mayo Clinic and AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons) define stress fractures as tiny cracks in a bone caused by the repetitive application of force, often by overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. They occur when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture. Stress fractures aren’t always obvious. They develop over time, so it’s difficult to tell exactly when they start to require a doctor’s care.

While most stress fractures occur on weight bearing bones… approximately 10% of stress fractures in adults occur do occur in the fibula.  The ‘walking boot’ is the most common form of prescribed therapy as healing occurs by limiting the bone’s weight-bearing load.

I, like so many others, had no real pain, swelling, or anything to indicate that something was wrong, just a weird hunch that something wasn’t right as I found a tiny spot on my fibula that hurt slightly when I pushed on it. I happened to bring it up to a good friend and foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Jeff Baker (Weil Foot and Ankle Institute), as I was curious as to what could possibly be going on… and soon came the dreaded news!

Making the best of a bad situation and a new fashion statement… nothing was going to keep me out of my Gucci’s. Oh how my friends were just loving this look… still haven’t lived this one down!

I must say that the most difficult thing was finding a surgical bootie to fit over this massive boot while I was in the OR. The doctors, nurses and I definitely had some laughs finding a solution that would work… now, if only I had taken a picture of that!

Today, I’ve modified my workouts as I try to switch up my running surfaces (outside, treadmill, track) and I’ve had special orthotics made that I put in my running shoes to help absorb shock on impact.  Locally, I went to FleetFeet, where I had my gait tested (aka Gait Analysis) and was given the shoe options that would best support my pronation etc…

Click HERE to find out what type of pronation you have… as understanding your pronation type is critical to choosing the correct running shoes.

Sources: MayoClinic /AAOS/mdguidlines