stress fracture question - Bone Disorders Message Board

LynneJW · 07-29-2003, 01:38 PM

I have had about 4-5 stress fractures over the past 12 years (metatarsals & tibia). The most recent one I had (October 2001) was pretty bad and took a long time to heal. I used to be a runner (not marathons or anything, just half an hour a couple times a week). I now go to the gym and ride a bike and do weights. I also walk, pushing my kids in a stroller. No more running for me for awhile. I am now having the same type of pain, right on the lateral side of my ankle, and I fear I have another fracture. I have an apointment with the sports medicine doctor who treated my last fracture in 2 weeks. I was just wondering if other factors could contribute to this frequency of injury. I am 30 years old, and currently overweight (due to meds for anxiety, and 2 back to back pregnancies), but 3 of those stress fractures I had in the past occured when I was stick thin. Any ideas anyone?

projapoti · 07-31-2003, 12:23 PM

Have you ever been on prednisone?

Have you had a bone density study done?

Is there any history of osteomalacia or osteoporosis in your family.

There is a bit o' a double-edged sword here. You mention that you are overweight--how overweight would you say you are? Is the weight that you've gained new, or has it gradually gotten that way over the past few years? People that are overweight are protected against osteoporosis somewhat due to the increased amount of estrogen in circulation, however, if the excess weight is caused by something like Cushing's syndrome, you might have weak bones because of that...or, all that aside, you may actually be normal, believe it or not, but just slightly more susceptible to stress fractures because you have a small frame and the excess weight is giving your bones a little trouble.

Why not have an endocrine screen done (especially for 24hr urine free cortisol) and see maybe if that is an issue?

LynneJW · 08-01-2003, 10:11 PM

Thanks for your response! To answer your first 3 questions, No, No, and No.
I have put on the weight slowly over the past 6 years, due to some meds I'm on for anxiety (I recently quit and am trying to find some weight-neutral drugs). I am 5'10", and have a very small frame (now hidden under these extra 60 pounds). At a health club I used to belong to, they measured the radius of my wrists, knees, ankles, etc, and they really are quite small. The only thing that doesn't fit, in terms of the weight issue, is the fact that i already had a few stress fractures while at a normal weight. I've also had many breaks in fingers and toes, and jaw, due to sports (basketball, horseback riding, soccer). I did have the cortisol test, and it was fine. I'll see what the doc has to say. Thanks for listening!