Hi guys Last Friday I jumped off my board at the end of my session at Woodman point and landed on a rock instead of soft sand . Pain ensued, hairline fracture of third metatarsal being the prognosis

The Dr reckons it will take 6-12 weeks to heal but I've heard of runners with hairline stress fractures who resume running after only a few weeks - 'once the pain stops, wait a week and start light running duties again' they say.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of injury? I'd like to get back on the water as soon as I can, even if it's just mowing the lawn

cheers

I had a fractured fourth metatarsal a few years ago that i managed to do surfing, and a fractured fifth metatarsal from an impact coming down from a jump and landing on the edge of the board this season.

Fourth metatarsal was in winter and I wore my boot and rested it, did swimming for exercise, took about six weeks to heal. I felt like I was ready in week 5, but fortunately there was no wind and the extra week made a massive difference, from small amount of pain to nothing at all.

This time, it was during summer and it seemed a shame to waste a season so i just padded up the moon boot and went out anyway. Its at about six weeks now and will need another couple of weeks I reckon. It has definitely set me back but totally worth it.

Those were full fractures so I reckon 12 weeks would be a bit of a stretch for a hairline unless you've done something really interesting to it, although they are all tiny little bones and a greenstick fracture can become something much worse quite easily. The main thing i've learnt is its really easy to get overconfident as the pain stops and then to overdo it and set it back a lot.

If you are stupid enough to go out kiting, don't go for too long and try not to jump. The pain will stop after a while and you won't realise how bad it is until the next day when it becomes apparent that you've really screwed yourself.

Its probably self-evident that this is a really bad idea and you should follow your doctor's advice, but you didn't come here for a medical opinion, did you!

I fractured my 5th meta in a spiral fashion. It took a good 4 mths to knit, and unfortunately a few years on is still a combination of being numb, burning and painful every day. Drives me mad. Obviously some nerve and tendon damage must have occurred. I believe the moon boot slowed the knitting process and if I had my time again I would use crutches and keep the fracture still until it's knitted. Everyone's fracture and healing abilities are different though. Wishing you all the best.

Select to expand quote

n8balls said..
Hi guys Last Friday I jumped off my board at the end of my session at Woodman point and landed on a rock instead of soft sand . Pain ensued, hairline fracture of third metatarsal being the prognosis

The Dr reckons it will take 6-12 weeks to heal but I've heard of runners with hairline stress fractures who resume running after only a few weeks - 'once the pain stops, wait a week and start light running duties again' they say.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of injury? I'd like to get back on the water as soon as I can, even if it's just mowing the lawn

cheers

you cannot compare a normal fracture to a stress fracture. If you put too much stress on that bone you can end up having your liz franc joints dislocated. At that point you pretty much need surgery. If you just ignore it and leaving it as is then you'll get (apart from potential other tissue injuries) arthritis in your foot which won't just give you pain but will mess up your gait and might prevent you from using your foot properly in the years to come.

Select to expand quote

Kit3kat said..

n8balls said..
Hi guys Last Friday I jumped off my board at the end of my session at Woodman point and landed on a rock instead of soft sand . Pain ensued, hairline fracture of third metatarsal being the prognosis

The Dr reckons it will take 6-12 weeks to heal but I've heard of runners with hairline stress fractures who resume running after only a few weeks - 'once the pain stops, wait a week and start light running duties again' they say.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of injury? I'd like to get back on the water as soon as I can, even if it's just mowing the lawn

cheers

you cannot compare a normal fracture to a stress fracture. If you put too much stress on that bone you can end up having your liz franc joints dislocated. At that point you pretty much need surgery. If you just ignore it and leaving it as is then you'll get (apart from potential other tissue injuries) arthritis in your foot which won't just give you pain but will mess up your gait and might prevent you from using your foot properly in the years to come.

Thanks for the info

It's only a hairline fracture so i think that means it is more like a stress fracture than a normal fracture - the Xray shows a little crack on the top side of the bone. But I agree, better to let it heal properly than rush things and risk complications down the track.