On crutches for a fracture and a tear.. help!

maryrunslikeafox

Hi All!

I have sustained a jones fracture (5th metatarsal) and a tear in my plantar fascia from marathon training/running. I was put into a hard cast 2 weeks ago and I am on crutches. I am having a really hard time because I was so active and doing well with my calories, etc, but now I'm in a funk! Has anyone been here before? What did you do? Any suggestions? I may be on crutches for another month =(

meg7399

I was never in a hard cast...but I feel your pain. For the couple months I was in my walking cast I did a number of things to still try and stay active. First of all...walking in crutches...WOW, that made me sweat big time. I would also sit on my exercise ball (assuming you can stablize yourself with one foot, or both if the cast allows) and I would put on my turbo jams. I would be able to keep up with the punching and twisting aspects and I would turn all kicking into punching. Plus keeping yourself balanced is a good core workout. I also have an abs DVD with turbo jams...I skipped the standing part and just did the part when I laid on the mat. There was minimal leg movement. Hope some of these ideas help!

Ravenesque_

Your goal is to get fitter and healthier - For you, getting fit (fit= to be able to be active and run and stuff) requires you to rest and recover.

Each day you are resting is a day closer to you being fit for running.

olsonjoshm

Sadly I have broken my 5th metatarsal 3 different times. I got a walking boot and was still able to use the elliptical and bike. I also was able to lift as well. I did wait a few weeks before I tried anything but I was able to get along just fine. I would imagine you could use a row machine as well because you foot won't move. Good luck that is not a fun injury and from my experience happens again easily.

ckmama

I have a tear in my plantar fascia as well as arthritis and a damaged joint in my left foot. I have been avoiding going to the doctor because I don't want to get casted...but the pain has become unbearable. I think once you get better it will all be worth it. I've been limping on mine for 7 months, barely able to walk or get up in the morning. So yes I feel your pain. Try to stay out of a funk you will heal soon. 2 weeks is no time at all just try to do some chair exercises if possible.

saraht131

Listen to your body and rest when you need to for as long as you need to. There may be ways to exercise around your injury though. I have a stress fracture, and although it's no where near as serious as your injury, I can't do any form of impact exercise (other than walking - on a good day) so I focus on strength training.

gini2407

Been in this sitation more than once.....very accident prone lol. I'm the same way though, I get very down when I'm not active. I did ALOT of upper body. Standing in crutches to do things may be a little difficult, but you can stay seated or lie on your back using dumbbells. My trainer had me increase my regular weight, which got my heart rate up and got me sweating. Also, if you go to the gym, see if they have a UBE machine. You sit on it and turn the handles with your arms only. They use it for a lot of shoulder rehab. But, if you crank up the intensity, you can get a GOOD workout in and burn a good bit of calories. Just some thoughts. Once you come out of the hard cast, walking in a pool is another option. I wish you a quick recovery!!

_Bob_

I spent six months with crutches and was told I'd never walk without assistance again. take it easy while your down and watch the calorie intake, then start slow exercising your joint, build it up before you run again. and make sure you have kick *kitten* arch support when you are ready to run again. it sucks while you're down and out but if you take it slow and build up you strength before you hit the road you'll be ok.

I did it the wrong way and used it as a excuse to give up, don't do that

emelypoynter

I have a torn ATFL, so I can totally relate to you. It is very frustrating! I had just ran my first half marathon and had a parachuting injury which landed me in a hard cast and talks of surgery. Since, I am walking around now but still in pain. I pushed the surgery back to deploy with my unit (as I'm military), so I still need to stay active and up on my cardio. If you have a walking boot or an ankle brace those can help some. I spin pretty much everyday. But it sounds like strength training is going to be your best bet for a while. Do what you can, and listen to what your body is tell you.

maryrunslikeafox

Sadly I have broken my 5th metatarsal 3 different times.

oh my gosh! how did this happen to you?

TGKvr

Straight leg raises, and what others have said... I feel your pain. In the last year I've spent about 5 months cumulatively on crutches, and I wish I had stuck with some more aggressive fitness plan while I was unable to put any weight on one leg...

madyncaden

I just got out of a walking cast, which is not as bad, but I still couldnt do much! I tore my tibial tendon in the arch of my foot. I got into a MAJOR funk and am just starting to get into working out again so I feel for you! I did a TON of wii boxing, it was fun and a great stress reliever I did lots of upper body strength training and sat on my excercise ball a ton. I also resorted to putting a wieght on the other healthy foot and doing all kinds of leg lifts and raises on the floor or in a chair. I hope you heal quickly and that anything I mentioned helped. Also Richard Simmons, I know I do not care for him BUT, he made a video for people that are confined to wheel chairs or just too obese to stand, it is called Sit TIght. I didnt get it but if it will be a long haul for you you might want to check it out, it was at my library but only as a VHS.....good luck!

cgrigz

I'm there Now actually. it sucks. I try to walk around on them A LOT. only cardio i can really do... I lift weights in the meantime. it's tough to get used to but i manage. best of luck.

Bakerchk

Story of my life!
I was super fit and active in high school and then I found out that I tore a tendon in my foot and fractured the bone. I was in a cast for 3 months and in a wheel chair to keep it elevated. 5 years later, after years and years of chronic pain, I found out the tendon had torn again and the bone never healed correctly. I had emergency surgery and was in a wheelchair for 6 months and bedridden for 3 of those. I'm still learning (a year and a half later) how to properly walk. Feet injuries are the worst because they take a long time to heal and you have to be very careful to not push yourself too hard, too soon. Listen to your body. If you are in pain, stop what you are doing and rest. Elevate and ice as much as possible, even when you don't think it's necessary. I'm not in pain for the most part, but I still keep my feet elevated at work and when I go to bed. It helps with the swelling. When I was finally able to walk again, I eased back into my daily routine. I started walking on the treadmill, swimming and biking. I now do around 20-25 minutes on the elliptical with minimal discomfort. I still cannot run. Just try to ease yourself back into your routine, it will probably take awhile before you can run again, but try not to beat yourself up too much. Good luck!

holleysings

I have been there four times. And it sucks. Most important thing for me was realizing that since my activity level had dropped, I needed to decrease how much I ate. I would definitely recommend doing lots of upper body and core work while you're recovering! And maybe see if there are some stretches for your legs to make them stay limber. Good luck!

maryrunslikeafox

thanks everyone so far for your comments and suggestions! I would appreciate anymore feedback people have!! good luck to those who are in the same boat as me right now! :flowerforyou:

TrailRunner61

Sorry about your injury! Make sure that you are using your crutches correctly. A lot of people are not trained on how to use them and getting around ends up being more painful than it should. If you feel you need to add padding to the top of the crutches, you're not using them right. All of your weight should rest on your hands, not your armpits. If you have to, adjust the crutches so your hands can reach where they need to be. I was on crutches for months and although I couldn't get much cardio in, I still went hiking, walking, etc. Maybe you could use some hand weights and or do some floor exercises? Lifting a leg with a cast on it would def. be a workout! I'm worried about this myself as I'm a new 'jogger' and I may have a broken toe after tripping over my dog while running. I really fear sitting around and know how you feel!

Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you and I pray you heal quickly!

czvv44

I know how you feel, I broke my ankle (high Weber C fracture) playing rugby in November, had to have surgery to put in a plate and pins and I was on crutches for six weeks and plaster for four. The biggest problem I had was that I wasn't allowed to weight-bear, which meant I lost a lot of calf/thigh muscle. The calf muscle I just had to live with but you can keep up strength in your thigh by doing lots of leg lifts, either front or side, and you can incorporate core workouts by kneeling down on all fours and lifting up one arm and the opposite leg. If you can't take weight on your feet to do a full pressup then knee-pressups are a perfectly good alternative, and it's perfectly possible to bench press or do a seated shoulder press. Watch out you don't overdo it though as crutching around after a strenuous upper body workout is a recipe for disaster! Overall, this will be a hard time for you but it does get easier, but listen to your body, things will be a lot harder than you think for a while and rest is the most important aspect of recovery! Good luck

olsonjoshm

High School football, then playing basketball, and then once while I was carrying something heavy. Once it breaks its so easy for it to break again.

stacygayle

Walking on crutches burns a lot more calories than just walking. Try to hop along on your crutches as much as you can tolerate (when you're not resting which you should do a lot to help with healing) that will burn some extra calories and tone up your arms, chest, back and shoulders. I've been on crutches many times in my life (clutz) so i know :laugh:

Edit: Make sure your crutches are the right height for you. As a nurse and former crutch user, your axilla should not touch the top of the crutches when you walk with them and make sure to form a perfect triangle with your body and the crutches every time you move. The under arm rest is for just that, resting on the crutches when not moving. You should not touch them when using them. That will cause irritation and unneccessary pain.

maryrunslikeafox

The biggest problem I had was that I wasn't allowed to weight-bear, which meant I lost a lot of calf/thigh muscle.

Hi! Me too.. I am not allowed to bear weight... thanks for your advice!

maryrunslikeafox

. As a nurse and former crutch user, your axilla should not touch the top of the crutches when you walk with them and make sure to form a perfect triangle with your body and the crutches every time you move. The under arm rest is for just that, resting on the crutches when not moving. You should not touch them when using them. That will cause irritation and unneccessary pain.

Got it! The first 2 days I had them adjusted wrong.. and kept switching the height.. I finally got them right when I moved up the hand part! Now I'm fine! The crutches still suck though! haha

Happylady123

I understand. I have bursitis in both knees right now because I overdid it running and biking. I am also bummed since I can barely walk, and I am in a lot of pain. I am not used to being such an invalid. I was able to do some Pilates one day which really felt good. It all depends of the pain level. Don't hurt yourself more in the process, let your body heal, and make wise food choices. I hope you heal soon and stay healthy!

issyfit

Sorry for your injury. When I was recovering from a hip replacement I continued to do upper body strength training. You may have to adjust your calories to keep from gaining if you are used to a lot of exercise. Hope you have a quick recovery.

TGKvr

The biggest problem I had was that I wasn't allowed to weight-bear, which meant I lost a lot of calf/thigh muscle.

Hi! Me too.. I am not allowed to bear weight... thanks for your advice!

Yes I'd say it took all of 2-3 weeks for my thighs to shrivel away from not being able to bear weight. First one knee, then the other. Well at least they match now.
I'm finally getting some muscle back, but really the leg raises were the best thing when I was down for the count.

halzuzu

Ouch! I broke the metatarsal in both of my feet a few years ago. Years of ballet dancing put so much stress on my feet that one day they just gave out on me. I was not in a cast but walking boots for what seems like forever and crutches for support and to limit putting too much weight on my feet . Took a very long time to heal for me maybe cause it was both at the same time. Once you start walking on your own again it is very easy to reaggravate these injuries. I would take it easy while in the cast and crutches and consult with your doctor. Once i was able to bear weight (but still in the walking boots) mine said I could do the stationary bike, elliptical and i started doing mat pilates as most of the class takes place on the floor and its a great workout. I dealt with those for injuries for so long i tthought i'd never walk normal again, but now I'm running marathons with no problems. Just take your time. I cannot wear high heels anymore but i never really liked those anyway :P

btw - mine were both the 1st metatarsal