Stress fracture in your shin from running may require surgery to heal
Q. I am a 20-year-old collegiate runner who has developed increasing pain in the front part of my left shin. The pain has now worsened to the point I can no longer run. I saw the team doctor who examined me and got X-rays.
The X-rays revealed I had a stress fracture in the front part of my tibia. The doctor said this fracture is unlikely to heal without surgery. He recommended putting a metal rod in my tibia for this to heal. Does this treatment sound correct and how long till I can return to run?
A. A stress fracture is an overuse injury that is caused by repetitive micro trauma exceeding the strength of a bone. Some stress fractures can heal with rest or immobilization.
However, some stress fractures do not have an adequate micro circulation to heal the injury. A stress fracture in the front of your tibia is one of this injuries that frequently requires surgery to heal.
A metal rod placed down the center of the tibia is a commonly performed surgery for this injury. The success rate of healing after this surgery is high and a return to running is usually possible within six months. If you have doubts about your injury, you can always get a second opinion.
Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and director of Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship, Doctors Hospital. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthealth.net
