Hello,
My wife (32) broke her foot (fracture of anterior calcaneus & 6mm ossific fragment at the talo-navicular articulation which has since healed) in April of last year. She was turning to walk out the door, missed a step and twisted her left foot causing these breaks.
Only one of these breaks was noted on the first x-ray and she was told she was ok to keep walking and working as a bartender and didn’t need a cast. She wore a walking boot often during this time.
After a few months without healing she had another x-ray and found the second break. She has been told numerous different things by different doctors, physiotherapists and orthopedic surgeons over the last 11 months (do physio, don’t do physio, walk on it, don’t walk on it, wear a boot, don’t wear a boot etc.) and we are unsure what the right information is due to all the conflicting direction.
They advised at the 1 year mark they would consider surgery (next month) but stated at this time while the one fracture has healed, the other has begun to heal but is doing so at a very slow pace for an unknown reason.
There doing another bone scan next month but we suspect since it’s healing (albeit extremely slowly), we suspect the advice will be to just keep waiting.
This has been extremely stressful and difficult for us as we have two young children and can’t seem to get a straight answer.
I’m not looking for medical advice and understand a forum post will have limited capacity, but I wanted to reach out as I’ve been following BBM for nearly a decade in terms of the numerous training programs I’ve done, healing through an injury I had for years and as the place I turn to for actual helpful advice when BS is all that is found on social media.
Sincerely appreciate any comments anyone may have in terms of what likely should/shouldn’t be don’t (exercise, weight bearing, nutrition etc.) to promote healing and whether anyone has experienced this slow bone healing situation before and has and indication as to why it might be. Everyone we’ve spoken to so far medical and otherwise seems to be stumped with why the heing is so slow.
Thanks so much,
Adam
Hey Adam,
Sorry to hear about this. It sounds…frustrating, to say the least.
I reached out to a few of my ortho friends to get them to weigh-in on the situation. Let’s see what they say and I’ll get back to you.
Hang in there.
-Jordan
Thanks Jordan, that is extremely appreciated!
I look forward to hearing further and can provide any additional information if/when required!
PS: Thanks again on the recommendation for “The Science of Running” over in the Facebook group. It was a great read with a ton I didn’t know, though I’ll admit a lot of it went over my head. Would love to see a RPE based BBMed running/lifting program sometime in the future!
Thanks again,
Adam
Consulted a friend and he emphasized that it’s difficult to diagnose and weigh-in on management without actually looking at imaging, e.g. an x-ray and likely CT at this point.
That said, it sounds like a talar avulsion, either anterior or lateral process, which don’t typically require surgery. It may need a cast if currently symptomatic, but it’s really hard to say without the full picture.
Sorry we couldn’t do more here, but would recommend following up with your providers about expectations, management, and so on.
Hey Jordan.
I completely understand the assistance is limited here in this case, but definitely appreciate you looking into this.
I’ve attached her scans from August in case it could help and would note that she is currently being sent for another one as she is hitting the 1 year mark.
Through nearly 15 years of personal experience and educating myself on your content, I’ve noted the general doctor recommendation tends to be to remain stationary when often slowly and appropriately titrating exercise would help, but wondered if the case was different for a bone injury as compared to muscle, tendon etc.
We are unclear if she should try to remain completely off of potentially up to the point of a cast (like you mentioned) if it still isn’t healing fully, if some level of activity is ‘ok’ or if activity at some level (or anything else frankly) would be beneficial?
We will see what the ortho has to say in a few weeks after the next scan but just wanted to inquire as BBM has become my “go to” for current and practical support and truth in a world (especially fitness) full of BS.
Thanks again,
Adam
I appreciate the kind words about BBM and can certainly appreciate how challenging this all has been.
Unfortunately, this is not something we can address via the forum for diagnostics and/or management. I would encourage you to reach out to the ortho by telephone to get an activity recommendation for the time being.
Sorry we couldn’t do more here.
-Jordan
Fair enough. Appreciate you checking in with your friend and getting back to me. Here’s hoping this thing heals up soon!
