u/Acceptable-Mail-2875

F(21) I’ve been dealing with a grade 2 tibial stress fracture and wanted to share my timeline + ask about others’ experiences. I am NOT asking for medical advice, just wondering if what I’m feeling is normal and if anyone has gone through something similar.

I was told early on that it wasn’t super severe and would likely take around 6–8 weeks to heal, but that I basically needed to stop all activity. I had pain even with normal walking like getting up from the couch or short trips around the house. I was only doing about 3,000 steps a day and even standing hurt. I honestly felt dramatic because any pressure on it was painful.

I couldn’t bike for the first 3 weeks because it irritated my shin. I used crutches pretty often. At week 6, I still had noticeable pain, so my doctor said to give it 2 more weeks. At week 7, I tried the elliptical still painful. By week 8, it felt tight but manageable.

Then I went on a camping trip and ended up hiking about 17 miles over 4–5 days, including one 6‑mile hike. At the beginning of week 9, I started a walk‑jog program. During the jog portions I felt pain, but I convinced myself it might be placebo.

So now I’m wondering:

• What are the chances it isn’t fully healed yet?
• Am I just being dramatic?
• Did I push too hard during that hiking week?
• Should I be worried that I’m still feeling pain?
• I thought I’d be recovered by now — is this normal?

F(21) I’ve been dealing with a grade 2 tibial stress fracture and wanted to share my timeline + ask about others’ experiences. I am NOT asking for medical advice, just wondering if what I’m feeling is normal and if anyone has gone through something similar.

I was told early on that it wasn’t super severe and would likely take around 6–8 weeks to heal, but that I basically needed to stop all activity. I had pain even with normal walking like getting up from the couch or short trips around the house. I was only doing about 3,000 steps a day and even standing hurt. I honestly felt dramatic because any pressure on it was painful.

I couldn’t bike for the first 3 weeks because it irritated my shin. I used crutches pretty often. At week 6, I still had noticeable pain, so my doctor said to give it 2 more weeks. At week 7, I tried the elliptical still painful. By week 8, it felt tight but manageable.

Then I went on a camping trip and ended up hiking about 17miles over 4–5 days, including one 6‑mile hike. At the beginning of week 9, I started a walk‑jog program. During the jog portions I felt pain, but I convinced myself it might be placebo.

So now I’m wondering:

• What are the chances it isn’t fully healed yet?
• Am I just being dramatic?
• Did I push too hard during that hiking week?
• Should I be worried that I’m still feeling pain?
• I thought I’d be recovered by now — is this normal?

F(21) I’ve been dealing with a grade 2 tibial stress fracture and wanted to share my timeline + ask about others’ experiences. I am NOT asking for medical advice, just wondering if what I’m feeling is normal and if anyone has gone through something similar.

I was told early on that it wasn’t super severe and would likely take around 6–8 weeks to heal, but that I basically needed to stop all activity. I had pain even with normal walking like getting up from the couch or short trips around the house. I was only doing about 3,000 steps a day and even standing hurt. I honestly felt dramatic because any pressure on it was painful.

I couldn’t bike for the first 3 weeks because it irritated my shin. I used crutches pretty often. At week 6, I still had noticeable pain, so my doctor said to give it 2 more weeks. At week 7, I tried the elliptical still painful. By week 8, it felt tight but manageable.

Then I went on a camping trip and ended up hiking about 17 miles over 4–5 days, including one 6‑mile hike. At the beginning of week 9, I started a walk‑jog program. During the jog portions I felt pain, but I convinced myself it might be placebo.

So now I’m wondering:

• What are the chances it isn’t fully healed yet?
• Am I just being dramatic?
• Did I push too hard during that hiking week?
• Should I be worried that I’m still feeling pain?
• I thought I’d be recovered by now — is this normal?