Recovery from Upper Plateau Tibia Fracture

[jared_j]

I was diagnosed (via MRI) with an upper plateau tibia fracture in my left leg. I was training for the Vancouver marathon, had been steadily building my weekly mileage but was also pushing the pace on my runs. One week I felt like Superman, ignored the training wisdom and ran a few more longer mid-week runs with my training partner (who is more experienced/fit than I) than I would have otherwise done, and voila, pain that got me into the doctor shows up.

 

That was six weeks ago, and today the doctor has given me the green light to ease back into activity. There is a lot of discussion out there as to how to ease back into running from an injury like this, but I wanted to know about others' experience with an injury like this as it relates to hiking around and carrying a backpack. I like to run, but I also like to get out there and climb.

 

So, what are your experiences?

 

Any professionals have an opinion on the quantitative or qualitative differences in stresses on the joints from hiking with a pack vs. running (in the city on pavement where I live)? I am looking for guidance on coming back cautiously so as not to re-injure myself prematurely.

 

Possibly relevant parameters: I'm a 28 year old male, 145lbs, 6' tall, and typically run 7:45-8:00 miles for training, 1:30 half marathons, and 40min 10ks. I've been running for 2.5 years, and was training for my first marathon.

 

Edited May 20, 2008 by jared_j

[layton]

That's a hard one! I'd avoid ANY downhill and pavement. The pack is probably ok, I'd keep the runs to light outtings. Pain is your guide - if it hurts, stop and call a cab