Question

What is causing my repeated stress fractures?

REPEATED STRESS FRACTURES

Within three years, I have had four stress fractures in the right tibia. I’m a 40-year-old female with a six-year competitive racing history, plus bike races and triathlons. I weight train weekly as well. I’ve been to an orthopedic surgeon, a podiatrist, a physical therapist, a sports medicine doctor and two chiropractors. I have tried the following solutions: I run on a rubberized track once a week; I run on a treadmill once a week; I run on trails once a week; I take Fosomax, isoflavones and hydro-calcium supplements; I have had orthotics; I wear arch supports; after no impact exercise for six weeks, I had pain immediately while trying to run on grass. Two bone scans revealed some bone thinning, but in my back only. I weigh 110 pounds. I’m running out of ideas.

Richelle Fessler, Bloomsburg, PA