tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post8597933537225638870..comments2023-11-07T15:44:03.771-07:00Comments on Rambling Hemlock: Stress fractures: A guide for backpackersJoan Westhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-85283420971803055072023-06-07T08:51:23.307-06:002023-06-07T08:51:23.307-06:00I just got out of the Sierra and am in lone pine w...I just got out of the Sierra and am in lone pine with a suspected metatarsal stress fracture. It's been hurting since tehachapi. The reality of 2 months off is hitting me hard, and I appreciate your words on how to deal with this mentally. It's been 746 great miles, until we meet again trail...nelsondlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10060921734633691172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-5162441067971589012021-04-26T07:51:13.971-06:002021-04-26T07:51:13.971-06:00Thanks for this information. We are 60 something f...Thanks for this information. We are 60 something female hikers and try our best to stay in our limits of what we can do or not. My wife is flat footed and I have arches to rival any mathematical curve!! Shoes have been the key for us. Gotta have the right shoes!! Thanks again!! AnitaBantahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06759947890198778914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-11045473759551753532021-01-19T15:04:18.704-07:002021-01-19T15:04:18.704-07:00Glad you found this helpful! Hope you have been ab...Glad you found this helpful! Hope you have been able to get back out there. It sure is frustrating to feel like you are doing everything right and then have this happen due to over-training. Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-46744426155116502142020-09-20T07:46:45.112-06:002020-09-20T07:46:45.112-06:00I found great comfort in reading your stress factu...I found great comfort in reading your stress facture blog. I have spent the last 2 months hitting the gym, day hiking locally in SC, and losing weight. After my knee replacement 3 years ago I was finally ready for a longer hike. I was supposed to be on the Long Trail in VT for a thru hike, but I developed a stress fracture of the tibia. I over-trained. I tried to convince myself it was just shin splints and I trained through the pain for 2 or 3 days. No way! I went to my doc and he confirmed the stress fracture. Nine years ago I was knocked off a thru hike of the AT after 400 miles after developing a stress fracture of the tibia. Then I started hiking too soon after "healing" and ended up on crutches for over 2 months in addition to the first 4 weeks of being off my feet. Thanks again for sharing your experience. It is a great comfort to read your blog entries. Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15922037120856097668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-14082702933330657842019-06-15T06:23:31.170-06:002019-06-15T06:23:31.170-06:00Thanks for the info on stress fractures. Apparentl...Thanks for the info on stress fractures. Apparently my decision to suddenly hike 50 miles in four days with a twelve pound pack after many years of sitting on my duff was a bit ill conceived. 🤣 I found your article very helpful.NicevilleJennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16676078079551674035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-34017857057855918142016-08-24T13:23:31.260-06:002016-08-24T13:23:31.260-06:00I've got a pair of Danners I wear in winter- d...I've got a pair of Danners I wear in winter- definitly sturdy and beautiful full grain leather that lasts forever. Still can't get used to them in summer though.Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-69040767577877474892016-08-24T13:22:26.400-06:002016-08-24T13:22:26.400-06:00Yes, sometimes things like that seem like a great ...Yes, sometimes things like that seem like a great idea, until the body decides otherwise. :) Hope you heal quickly and can learn to slow down. (I'm *still* practicing slowing down every single day- maybe someday it'll get easier...)Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-59517508691681880722016-08-24T11:39:31.892-06:002016-08-24T11:39:31.892-06:00Been using these: Danner Men's Crater Rim 6&qu...Been using these: Danner Men's Crater Rim 6" GTX Hiking Boot:Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434325809272730962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-80187099726316732672016-08-24T11:37:44.598-06:002016-08-24T11:37:44.598-06:00Thanks for the great story. Turned 50 and decided ...Thanks for the great story. Turned 50 and decided it would be a good idea to lose weight by reliving my glory days as a Marine and hike with a 75 pound vest for 5 miles a day for 2 weeks, after doing nothing but weight lifting for 25 years. After this stress fracture heals, I'll probably take it a little more slowly. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13434325809272730962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-3057613445086579482016-08-23T14:27:38.896-06:002016-08-23T14:27:38.896-06:00Keep trying a bunch of them on and find a good fit...Keep trying a bunch of them on and find a good fit. I have bunions so the wider toebox of keens works OK. But they are hot and unforgiving. Ah well!Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-16998898766432320862016-08-23T14:18:00.572-06:002016-08-23T14:18:00.572-06:00I taped my feet before when I used boots as well. ...I taped my feet before when I used boots as well. May I ask which boots you are wearing now? I tried Vasques on at EMS this weekend. I haven't bought them. I also tried Salomon and they hurt my toes right away.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10882751056540654797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-81060459747533258162016-08-23T14:11:16.936-06:002016-08-23T14:11:16.936-06:00The sturdier boots are terrible! I still haven'...The sturdier boots are terrible! I still haven't found any that don't hurt my feet. I have learned to wrap my feet to prevent blisters, and adjust my expectations in terms of foot pain. <br /><br />Hang in there and hope you don't get another stress fracture. Sore feet is at least better than having to stay off the trail for a fracture!Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-3593226683739461732016-08-23T14:07:15.459-06:002016-08-23T14:07:15.459-06:00Thank you! I am hearing the same thing - go back ...Thank you! I am hearing the same thing - go back to more traditional boots with a stiffer sole. I tried some this weekend and they sure aren't as comfy as my trail runners. Wah!!!! I will keep trying some different styles and brands until I find something that works. I have to remind myself that boots require break in time and aren't perfect right out of the box. My physical therapist even recommended going back to boots... ARGH!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10882751056540654797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-62220849740933937492016-08-23T14:00:35.063-06:002016-08-23T14:00:35.063-06:00I wish I had a simple answer for you!
All the doc...I wish I had a simple answer for you!<br /><br />All the doctors I went to said that sturdy shoes with thick soles were important. That's what I wore right after my stress fracture and whenever I carry a heavy pack, even now. However, I still switch back to trail runners for high mileage days because the sturdy shoes all hurt my feet and give me blisters.<br /><br />When I hiked the Arizona Trail, I tried wearing trail runners, but when I had a few very heavy water carries, my stress fracture site hurt and I immediately switched back to the sturdy shoes.<br /><br />I guess it's a tradeoff between sore feet due to heavy boots and pain-free feet with higher stress fracture risk-- for me it all depends on pack weight and keeping the wear and tear down and rest up.<br /><br />Wish it were simple.<br /><br />Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-10057319770070114602016-08-21T07:44:51.736-06:002016-08-21T07:44:51.736-06:00Hi there! I am recovering from my second stress f...Hi there! I am recovering from my second stress fracture. I seem to get them each summer when I ramp up my hiking time. Do you have any recommendations for footwear? I am wondering if my choice of lighter shoes such as trail runners is contributing to my issues. Perhaps a beefier boot with a sturdier sole would offer more protection? I would love your thoughts!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10882751056540654797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-57782829612721786072015-10-04T11:28:55.148-06:002015-10-04T11:28:55.148-06:00Sorry to hear of your stress fracture.
Not bein...Sorry to hear of your stress fracture. <br /><br />Not being able to exercise like normal is horrible. I had to stay off my feet completely and not put any pressure on them, so I begged my PT for cardio exercises. The arm bike did get my heart rate up OK but it was pretty boring. Swimming with the floaty thing between my knees kept my legs immobile-- never got my heart rate up as high as I would have liked, but at least I got to swim outside.<br /><br />Hang in there it'll get better, just got to be patient.Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-86236785812060526102015-10-02T11:21:18.862-06:002015-10-02T11:21:18.862-06:00Great article. :)
I'm recovering from a stre...Great article. :) <br /><br />I'm recovering from a stress fracture from my hike as well. <br />I was wondering what type of cardio workout did you do during recovery time? <br />I need some suggestions. <br />Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08260755807719339320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-77780520063884618662015-08-20T17:44:09.218-06:002015-08-20T17:44:09.218-06:00Oh wow great to hear from you! I totally remember...Oh wow great to hear from you! I totally remember meeting you. How was the rest of your hike?!?! Such a sweet section up there, and you were lucky to do it before all the fires.<br /><br />I'm so very sorry to hear about your broken toe. It is so heartbreaking to have an injury that takes a long time to heal. Especially terrible to have to get off the trail. Wishing you all the best. <br /><br />I didn't believe it at the time, but this injury really did change my life for the better. <br /><br />Hugs!<br /><br />JoanJoan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-27725953068815059402015-08-18T09:40:02.024-06:002015-08-18T09:40:02.024-06:00Hey,
We met in Glacier NP early in July. I was ...Hey, <br /><br />We met in Glacier NP early in July. I was hiking with my dad and a friend on the PNT and had a chrome dome. I stumbled on this post Sunday night while googling "thru hiking on a broken toe" because I broke my toe on Friday and was trying to decide what to do amongst many tears of disappointment. This post, though about stress fractures was just what I needed to read! Thank you for sharing this difficult moment in your journey, but also sharing positive ways to embrace the bends in the road.<br /><br />Much love,<br />Julie "Rainbow Brite"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07333556602890767015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-68027896714900331532014-07-30T20:46:42.857-06:002014-07-30T20:46:42.857-06:00Thanks Hemlock = seems you are learning a lot.Thanks Hemlock = seems you are learning a lot.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17938726665052912543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-68049798906796617872014-07-30T19:42:42.713-06:002014-07-30T19:42:42.713-06:00Dang, sorry to hear about the ankle. Your photos ...Dang, sorry to hear about the ankle. Your photos make it look like you had a good trip. Hope you get a good outcome at the doctor's! Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-1427686487287923642014-07-30T19:38:39.442-06:002014-07-30T19:38:39.442-06:00Oh my goodness- you too with the stress fracture! ...Oh my goodness- you too with the stress fracture! Sorry to hear it took you a whole year to get better. It is so difficult to rest, especially for those of us who are so active. Glad you found this helpful!Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-42444672543068406902014-07-30T12:06:35.682-06:002014-07-30T12:06:35.682-06:00I am reading this post on the way back to Atlanta ...I am reading this post on the way back to Atlanta with a very large ankle and dr appt waiting. Perfect timing. Thanks for all the research and putting<br />your story out for others. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-67873059834878098642014-07-29T10:53:13.511-06:002014-07-29T10:53:13.511-06:00Such a great post. I've mourned for your injur...Such a great post. I've mourned for your injury (though I know I've said scarcely little about it). I, too, suffered from what I believe was a stress fracture. It wasn't during my PCT hike, but afterward. I was dancing tons and running tons, and ended up with some pain in the ball of my foot. Under-insured and unable to really get medical care for the injury, I just decided to take it easy. That is so much easier to say than actually do. It probably took me a full year to come full circle on the injury (though it probably would have been faster had I actually rested and healed!). Anyhow, your story, research, and perspective are a valuable, valuable resource to me, even now. Thanks for the post! Leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16998634326578725933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437728056755394515.post-41882879832977275082014-07-29T09:33:33.022-06:002014-07-29T09:33:33.022-06:00A resource link for more types of injuries would b...A resource link for more types of injuries would be most valuable for the community. Definitely a topic that gets overlooked.<br /><br />Meeting you really did a lot for giving me hope. I still think it's so cool you have the same bump on your foot where the stress fracture healed. Delighted to have a *stress-fracture sister* and look forward to seeing you again!Joan Westhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16396313531820725640noreply@blogger.com