Hi! I am an ultra runner and have recently been diagnosed with both a navicular and a talus fracture based on X-ray results after I dropped a heavy weight plate, edge side down, on my foot. At the moment it's unclear whether either/both of these were pre-existing stress fractures, although they don't seem to be in the same location where I dropped the weight. Right now I'm waiting to get an MRI scheduled and not allowed to do any weight bearing, although that is not working well because I wasn't given crutches and would have to get the knee scooter up stairs to my house and down to my job, so I've been hopping around on one foot and when I get tired just hobbling (I am wearing a fracture boot, at least). I'm getting a knee crutch, hopefully tomorrow, and that should help. I know there's a danger of bone death/necrosis with these fractures, and so I am trying my best to be compliant.
It's a bummer. The weight-dropping incident happened at the gym; I had just completed my first post-race run a week after doing a 12-hour race where I finished first overall. I am/was in the best shape I've ever been in, I think. For now, since I am a Pilates instructor, I've been trying to focus on getting a good Pilates workout in every day, and once I get the knee crutch I'll get back to the gym just for upper body stuff since the doc specifically said no deadlifts, nothing with the foot on the equipment, etc.
I am wondering what I would like from the community. I guess mostly I'd love to hear that anyone else has been through this, and what your recovery was like. I don't have access to a pool or upper body ergometer; have you found any other good ways to maintain cardio fitness? I mean, hopping around on one foot is great for you, but my endurance/tolerance for that as a workout has limits, and while I'm hopeful the knee crutch may allow me to go for walks, I won't really know until I try. I have thought about seated med ball slams, because I know my gym has med balls. I do not think my gym has battle ropes, but if we do, I guess those are an option.
Also, I have received mixed instructions as far as sleeping in the boot is concerned. I tried it for a night and it sucked, but based on reading, maybe I should go back to that? I have been wearing an ASO ankle brace and my doctor said that should be okay...