Metatarsal Stress fracture from training??

I have a problem and getting to see my GP in the UK is a nightmare so thought I would come here for some advice from others that may have injured their metatarsals in training.

I'm on a healthy eating and fitness program after 2 years of laziness. I have gone from no activity to working out on my elliptical machine daily, upper body weights and squats - about 30-50 a day, over the last month or so.
I stupidly train without shoes on, just socks as I work out at home in front of my tv.

Last night I was doing squats and felt something go in my foot on the outer metatarsal on my right foot, halfway between my heal and little toe.

It hurts like hell when I put pressure on it and there is a hard slightly swollen lump (on feeling and in comparison to the same spot on my left foot) on the outer edge of the metatarsal. The area is red and a little purple.

I have fractured my thumb before and the feeling is quite similar. I'm not likely to get to a GP until middle of next week now so is there anything I should do or not do in the meantime?

Thanks you in advance!

Replies

  • Helliberrie
    Helliberrie Posts: 21 Member
    have you thought about going to A&E or a walk in centre?
  • shewdog
    shewdog Posts: 34
    I would, but I would feel really stupid that it's a fuss over nothing. Our local hospitals nursing staff have a habbit of making your feel like you shouldn't be there.
    Might ring up NHS direct. Lucky enough I work from home at my desk, part of the reason I put on weight! There are no walk in centres round here :/
  • Helliberrie
    Helliberrie Posts: 21 Member
    wow, we have two walk in centres within 30 minutes of us ... have been a godsend over the years, and they dont make you feel that way, they have to send you to A&E if they think its necessary, they cant fix as such.
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    ugh, sorry. I just did the same thing; oddly by walking on an incline beach in Hawaii. It took about 2 weeks of icing to feel better. I could not walk barefoot or in most shoes EXCEPT I could walk in high heels without pain.

    I asked my chiro about it and he said just wait it out and ice.

    Good luck.
  • shewdog
    shewdog Posts: 34
    Access to health care in North Wales is a bit hit and miss at the best of times. Nightmare.

    2 weeks!! That's amazingly quick to heal. The nurse I spoke to said it's normally 6 weeks for the 5th metatarsal. Holiday to the Maldives in 4 weeks . . . great.

    X-ray tomorrow and I will know what I am dealing with, got into such a good swing of things with training to, don;t want a break from it, literally!!!
  • iluvprettyshoes
    iluvprettyshoes Posts: 605 Member
    I'm having something similar and orthopedist said I pulled the tendon that runs down the ankle, the foot then goes under the foot. He said 2 wks icing plus taking anti-inflammatory then go back and see him.

    Hope you get better soon!
  • Aww thank you, hope yours is better soon to. Had it x rayed, I am on crutches and missing a good cardio session already!!

    They couldn't see a fracture, but then again it wouldn't show for 2 weeks anyway. Doing the whole "Ice, Compression, Elevation"routine religiously. I felt something pop, the nurse and my private physio think's it may have torn. But they wouldn't do further investigations until 6 weeks.

    In the meantime, I am coming up with some inventive ways of carrying stuff around the house with one working leg.
    Need to come up with some new routines without weight bearing on the foot. If I give up completely for 6 weeks I will go back to my old lazy ways :(
  • sleepytexan
    sleepytexan Posts: 3,138 Member
    I started lifting heavy weights after I tore my MCL skiing in February. Couldn't walk, but I could squat, deadlift, benchpress, etc.

    good luck!