Stress fracture of the leg - exercise ideas?

sethanddomsmom

Have a lovely femoral neck (high risk for nonunion) stress fracture I need to baby. I can now finally walk on it after 12 weeks of crutches. I was told I could bike and swim. Any ideas of non-weight bearing exercises other than bike and swimming? I currently swim 30 mins lengths 3x/wk. I live in Canada, everything needs to be in a gym. Thanks for any ideas!

wilsoncl6

Rowing machine maybe? However, you don't actually have to do cardio to continue on a weight loss program. High rep, short break weight routines can be just as effective at getting your heart rate up and cutting the pounds.

ecjim

Leg extension & curls - seated over head press, bench, lat pull downs, - you get the idea - Eastcoast Jim

EvgeniZyntx

wilsoncl6 wrote: »

Rowing machine maybe? However, you don't actually have to do cardio to continue on a weight loss program. High rep, short break weight routines can be just as effective at getting your heart rate up and cutting the pounds.

Do not do rowing for a femoral neck stress fracture without talking it out with your doctor.

lorrpb

Ask for a referral to physical therapy so they can provide you with appropriate exercises.

sethanddomsmom

I think a sports physio is a good idea, thanks. Considering walking is causing pain if more than about 15 mins, I worry about rowing. Even biking hurts a bit. Apparently my stress fracture is an "unstable" type due to its location. I am an MD, but not an ortho, and the mechanics of it all are a bit more complex than the average femur fracture. No torque or traction type exercises either. This sucks because I am a runner, skier, kick boxer, HIIT, step type of exerciser. I have just been swimming (could only start that this month, and I am 12 weeks out from the fracture) so far, but today started a gym upper body workout. Cant do free weights cuz can't walk from the weight bench to where the weights belong with that much weight on my leg. I have a home gym and can't use it (all free weights), so bought a gym membership. I have NEVER been this sedentary and its driving me NUTS! Thanks for the ideas.

EvgeniZyntx

Sound like rest is still necessary if you are in pain and any torque will result in injury. Re-injury will require 6 months? More?

Be smart, doc!

(I used to design hip implants - no hip movement with power or weight is torque free)

busyPK

Arm exercises like boxing, just no leg movements?

ecjim

sethanddomsmom wrote: »

I think a sports physio is a good idea, thanks. Considering walking is causing pain if more than about 15 mins, I worry about rowing. Even biking hurts a bit. Apparently my stress fracture is an "unstable" type due to its location. I am an MD, but not an ortho, and the mechanics of it all are a bit more complex than the average femur fracture. No torque or traction type exercises either. This sucks because I am a runner, skier, kick boxer, HIIT, step type of exerciser. I have just been swimming (could only start that this month, and I am 12 weeks out from the fracture) so far, but today started a gym upper body workout. Cant do free weights cuz can't walk from the weight bench to where the weights belong with that much weight on my leg. I have a home gym and can't use it (all free weights), so bought a gym membership. I have NEVER been this sedentary and its driving me NUTS! Thanks for the ideas.

Going by what you said here, I would play it safe and stay with seated upper body work /bench and swimming. no rowing or leg curls. Wait until the Ortho gives you the OK for full weight bearing before walking. --Patience-- I have been through leg/ ankle fractures & Surgery, but not one like that - Eastcoast Jim