A runner with a calcaneal stress fracture has a problem. So we got on a call.
The problem with calcaneal stress fractures is not healing. The heel bone "heals" fast!
Runners with calcaneal stress fractures really have 2 problems:
1. How do I let the heel bone heal fast
2. How can I fix the scarring that happens during step 1?
I was recently doing a call with a real runner who had a calcaneal stress fracture. She was having some issues because she was returning to running. The problem was not the heel bone.
She noticed a lot of stiffness and irritation around the ankle joint, because she'd been immobilized and off of the foot for quite a long time. Anytime you use a boot or crutches, you get lots of indiscriminate scarring. You can't run unless you fix that.
Is stretching safe with a calcaneal stress fracture?
Well, that's what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.
