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Going on 14 months without my foot stress fracture healing- Help!

My stress fracture in my foot(4th metatarsal) occured in November 2009. Almost 14 months later, I am still in a lot of pain and cannot even think about running. I have always been an active person and an athlete and I'm about to go crazy!

Initially, the stress fracture was not found because it was too small to show up on an Xray. I eventually had an MRI done and it found the fracture. I was put in a walking boot for 3 months, and then attempted weight bearing regular walking. There was still a lot of pain, so I was back in the boot for another month, same result. I got fed up with the first doctor, because they didn't seem to really care about me....so I got a second opinion. About 3 months ago, my second doctor put me in custom orthotics ($350 later) and I've had numerous adjustments. I'm still in about the same amount of pain as I was a month after the original break. I just do not feel like the bone healed correctly, and need another opinion. My second doctors swears on her life that surgery is not the answer, that the bone has already healed. Why am I still in such pain if the bone healed correctly? Any opinions would be appreciated, I'm reaching frustration phase, and my tolerance in this area is quite high.

The break occurred during an impact in a soccer game, 50/50 ball. I lost!
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your comments. I actually followed with with a 3rd Orthopedic surgeon and we concluded that the break is completly healed, and correctly. He cannot figure out why I am in such pain. My toes feel no pain, so this ruled out any nerve damage. He told me to dump the orthotics because they were making things worse. I'm now wearing a soft flat insole which seems to be helping a bit, but still a lot of pain. He said he will look at the current MRI, and it's looks like one of two conclusions will be made:
1) I will likely have chronic pain for the rest of my life(as a 26 year old athlete, this was tough to hear)
2) There could be tissue damage causing the pain.

Nonetheless, he said to go about normal activites because I am healed, I'll just have to deal with the pain.

Does this sound about right? I hope there is an option besides being in pain for the rest of my life.....
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello!

You can go for a present day MRI and get it commented by an expert radiologist and confirm healing.

If your healing is complete then you would need proper physiotherapy or else you have to explore all options for surgery. Based on the healing the decision of wearing the custom orthotics lies.

Follow up with a podiatrist.

Take care!
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