Question:Next week I'm due for an x-ray of my upper tibia bone after two weeks of
pain and physiotherapy.
My question: Should I go for an x-ray or is a bone scan better to make a
diagnose?
If it is a stress fracture I can kiss my September marathon good-bye. Is it
true: about 12 weeks of complete rest from running?
Answer:Take the X-ray first. Even if the X-ray doesn't pick up a visible crack
line, it can reveal the tell-tale posterial(??) reaction. It looks like
a swelling on the bone due to the osteoplasts (special bone cells)
rushing there to repair the damage. If this is not revealed and the pain
is still there, go for the bone scan.
Why the X-ray first? X-rays are cheaper. Bone scans costs a lot. Bone
scans makes a lot of people feel icky! They inject radioactive material
into you! There is no damage from the radiation but it will definitely
make you feel defiled ;> like a radioactive dumpsite.
Chances are that you will save money. If the stress fracture is serious
the X-ray will reveal it. If not, most orthopedist play it safe by
recommending rest without going for the bone scan.
12 weeks is usually enough but that doesn't mean you can start
hard running straight after those 12 weeks. I'm sorry but you have to
start like a beginner again. Going slowly making sure it doesn't hurt
for a short slow jog. Then increasing the mileage slowly in the
following weeks.
