Tibia stress fracture down time?

[joelh]

I started a bit of running in August and in mid-September hurt what I thought was my knee. After 6 weeks of little improvement, I had an MRI done last week. Orthopedist called and said I have a stress fracture in my tibia, just below my knee. Put me on crutches and will get more details when I go in later this week.

Anyone have any idea on the recovery time? This crutch thing is getting old after just 3 days.

[Ozz]

How old are you? I was down for about 4 weeks when I was in college....then I had to come back very slowly...had to red-shirt and miss my whole Junior soccer season.

[joelh]

Unfortunately, I am more than double college age. Hope that doesn't mean double the recovery time.

[Jim Braley]

I would guess minimum 4-6 weeks and that means no running although doctor will likely let you do some stationary bike and cross training stuff as long as you are not putting pressure on tibia.

[joelh]

I am hoping that they will let me ride. I have been riding for the last few weeks with no pain, except when really climbing. I don't take inactivity very well at all.

[Ozz]

Unfortunately, I am more than double college age. Hope that doesn't mean double the recovery time.
you and me both! :beer:

Good luck and follow the docs instructions....I found it to be more annoying than debilitating...riding should be fine.

[mo3039]

+1 for following docs instructions...just be sure you have a doc that "gets" your needs around fitness.

I had a stress fracture lower down the leg in high school, and kept trying to come back too early (way before six weeks), just prolonging the whole pain/lack of fitness spiral. If I had better advice I'm sure there was a way to keep more fitness but stay away from the running/weight bearing stuff that aggravated the injury. Good luck!