Painful foot ?stress fracture

[Lehcar28]

Just over two weeks ago my dd was dancing when she got a severe pain in the top of her foot. She went to the local hospital as they thought it might be a stress fracture but the X rays didn't show any fracture but it did show that she had some thickening of the bone on her 2nd metatarsal so they told her to re think her career, which she obviously found upsetting to hear. We did some research and decided it probably was a stress fracture so she's been resting but has kept on with gentle exercise. However last night she phoned me in tears as foot feeling more painful, a bruise was coming out on the top of her foot and it was also painful on the ball of her foot. I advised she went back to the hospital as I was concerned and being so far away couldn't offer any other advice. She ended up going in an ambulance as she passed out while talking to NHS direct! However the advice from hospital is now that because the bone is thickened it's pressing on the tendons/tissues and surrounding muscles. They said it will be painful for a few weeks but once the inflammation goes down it should be fine and she doesn't have to re think career. The doctor said rest but told her she can still dance, which seems to be conflicting advice, so just wondering if anyone can offer suggestions on what she should be doing. She has made an appointment to see a physio but that isn't till the end of October.

[Anna C]

Gosh, your poor dd. :-(

 

I will say what I always say in this situation, which is that we as a forum can't offer medical advice or diagnosis via the internet. My first stop would always be to see a good Physio ASAP; a specialist dance Physio where possible. Personally I would not leave it until the end of October.

 

Was the Doctor who advised "rest but you can still dance" a hospital Doctor, a Consultant? or GP? That seems to be somewhat conflicting advice. If the pain has been sufficiently bad to make your dd pass out then I would absolutely not let her dance until she has seen a Medical Professional with interest in and experience of treating dancers.

 

If you search the forum for "Dance Physio" (use the speech marks) hopefully there will be plenty of information in previous threads.

[sarahw]

That all sounds very worrying and difficult as dd is away.

 

Is her physio a dance physio or a standard NHS? If you can afford a private physio it would be quicker. Have her school offered any help?

 

And there's also the NHS dance clinics in London and Birmingham which you could search for on this forum. They are very good and GP can refer directly.

 

Hope you get it sorted.

 

Edited to add pistinf at same time as Anna!

Edited September 30, 2015 by sarahw

[balletbrokemybank]

I know nothing about dance I am afraid but I did used to work in elite sport and would highly recommend a specialist physio/doctor if you can see one. We had our own team physios and their level of expertise was amazing. 

Hope it heals quickly.

[drdance]

Hi Lehcar28 - is your DD away from home at school/college? If so, most schools have a physio or specialist dance medicine doctor that you can check in with, or at least should be able to recommend one. If she's London-based or in the south east at all, my next recommendation would be the NIDMS dance clinic, which is free to use via GP referral. More info for patients and GP's can be found on www.nidms.co.uk.

[orchidblue]

My DD had a stress fracture in her foot this time last year, done tapping in her first few weeks of 1st year seniors. It was incredibly painful but she had a number of physio appointments, sat out a lot of classes to start with but then danced if she could. It took until after Christmas before she stopped mentioning the pain but plenty of tears from the pain before that. So hard for them to want to keep dancing where possible but then suffering so much because of it. I would definitely try to see a physio sooner rather than later. Hoping your DD is out of pain and on the road to recovery soon.

[Lehcar28]

Thanks for all your replies, I think I wasn't looking for answers but needed reassurance that I wasn't just being an over fussy Mum.

My dd is coming home tomorrow as she says it will be easier to rest at home as when she is at school she wants to dance. Also although the school have a physio its not on a regular basis so it is easier gor her to get trestment from home. We have managed to get an earlier appointment with a physio from the jerwood centre and will see her on Monday,so hopefully she will give us the correct advice so we know exactly what we are dealing with and can show dd what will help and what will hinder her recovery.

Thanks again for your support

[Anna C]

I'm really pleased she has an earlier appontment. :-) Keep us posted - here's hoping for a speedy recovery.