[wooclosmercob]

I believe I have a stress fracture in my right foot. Stress fracture which is a small crack in the bone from repeated stress after muscles can no longer absorb shock. Though I can't say 100% because of no insurance I can't get confirmation from doctor.

Everytime I walk or just put pressure on foot, I feel a slight mild pain. I think its from bad fumikomi though like I said this is all hypothetical.

Anyone ever get a stress fracture as well?
Just want to know if I'm in the right boat.
Thanks!

[gomosopions]

EMS question. On a scale from one to ten, with ten being the most painful thing you have ever experienced, where would you rate the pain in your foot?

And what is your number ten on the scale? What does the pain feel like, can you describe it more?

I ask because one person's mild pain is someone else's severe pain, and so on.

[Pyuvjzwf]

only way to know for sure is go get an xray. if it bothers you when you walk normally I would do just that.

[bingookenoo]

Well I have had stress fractures before, but not from kendo. I suggest, as Ender says, to go to a doctor to know for sure. A doctor typically will treat a stress fracture by immobilizing the area and preventing it from additional stress. This may include a boot of some sort and crutches for anywhere from 2 weeks to a couple months. However, there are other foot problems it could also be so to get proper treatment you really need to see a doctor and have it diagnosed.

[Golotop]

only xrays will reveal a true frx but your doc may treat it as a stress frx anyway. could be anything from plantar fasciitis to a true frx. i say tough through it, keep stomping and ignore the swelling and discoloration.

just kidding. see a doc, but RICE'ing it won't hurt. ( rest, ice, compress,elevate)

[Hrennilasi]

@all, thx for all the replies, sry couldn't reply earlier, had exams today.
On a scale of 1-10 Id rate the pain about a 3. (like someone pinching or slowly poking me with a needle). Based on a scale where 10 would be hitting your foot with a hammer intent on breaking something.

Id love to go to the doctor but yeah like I said no insurance, and doc + xray is of course mucho moolah.

Ill stick to the RICE and minimal pressure, if things don't get worse I'm hoping its cus its healing. Or would a constant but not increasing pain still be considered something potentially bad?

[Mangoman]

Or would a constant but not increasing pain still be considered something potentially bad?

Pain is always a symptom that something is wrong. You should listen to it. Let your sensei know that you have an injury and stop doing whatever movement causes the pain even if it means you have to sit out kendo for a little while. Focus on improving your footwork such as suriashi until the pain is gone and you can fumikomi again. Kendo will always be there. Risking severe or permanent injury is just stupidity.

[aspinswramymn]

If you have no insurance and can't afford a doctor you might try looking into a free clinic if there are any around where you live. If not then I would definitely suggest not putting any weight on the foot if you can help it and give it time to heal.

[Theorsell]

yes to what turboyoshi said.

RICE is good.

a constant but increasing pain is definitely a bad sign, and would be a strong sign indicating a stress fracture. most begin as a light to moderate pain that builds over time, and even walking could exacerbate it over time. it does not sound like the pain is significant right now, but a healing fracture should hurt less with time and if it is increasing then something is continuing to go wrong. you should look around your area for a free clinic or something close to those lines. such things exist. you might not be able to get x-rays, but seeing a clinic doctor or something like that, and treating your foot as though it has a stress fracture, will likely not hurt whatever is going on and could help make an improvement.

keep well.

edited to add: MikeW beat me to the free clinic suggestion. blast. college medical campuses sometimes offer good prices as well, assuming you are comfortable with the idea of being someone's learning experience.

[Elisabetxxx]

Note that not all stress fx's show up on X-rays. In addition to the free clinic advice, while it's too late for this injury (pre-existing condition and all), many colleges offer cheap insurance for students as well. If you are going to be practicing kendo you really should seek insurance.

Finally, if your injury was in kendo in an AUSKF dojo, if you are an AUSKF member I believe the AUSKF insurance policy includes some injury coverage on a remibursement basis.
See e.g. http://www.auskf.info/newsletter/vol12no3.pdf and contact (or maybe better have your sensei contact) Mark Uchida to see what coverage may be available You can probably contact him via the dojo contact info at http://www.mushinkankendo.com/index.html