Hi Everyone!

Earlier this week, I rolled over my pointe shoe in rehearsal and fell with it sickled. It immediately became swollen and hurt to walk on it. I went to the doctor the next day and found out that I fractured it. It is an avulsion fracture, and I have to be off from dance for 4-6 weeks. I'm getting plenty or rest and elevating it as much as possible. I'm eating foods high and calcium and taking vitamin D supplements.

If anyone could give me any tips about food choices, advice on how to treat it, or how I can stay somewhat in shape I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Ballerina0531

Keep up with the elevation and make sure you ice - I found those helped when I sprained/fractured my foot (calcaneus frx). When your bone is healed, I highly recommend physical therapy, especially if you are on crutches or in an immobilization boot. It's amazing how quickly the muscles lose tone and strength, and to prevent re-injury the therapy will be a big help!

Other than that, your doctor is the person to see regarding what you can do in the meantime - sometimes you can do certain things - for example, I was told "Whatever you can do with the boot on, you can do," when I asked about exercising (not overly specific, but ruled out a few things I had in mind).

Good luck, and keep us posted on your recovery!

Thanks!

I'm on crutches, but no boot because they said without the boot I would heal faster. Whatever it takes He said I can do anything as long as I don't put weight or apply pressure to my foot. I've been stretching and doing some floor barre exercises.

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

Ballerina0531

Maybe see if you can swim? This might depend on the fracture though. Otherwise some pilates/yoga where you don't have to stand on the ouchy foot might help to maintain some core strength.

Where is the fracture? Is it your foot or your ankle or? I had an avulsion fracture on my tibia last summer and I was in a walking boot. I pretty much just kept doing things and didn't really rest. I ended up being in the boot for a bit longer than I had hoped because I didn't properly rest it. Make sure that in your stretching you aren't using muscles that pull at that area. Be gentle and rest it.

So I've been doing my Jillian Michaels videos, and there's alot of level one from Six Week Six Pack that you can do either seated or laying down.

I'd love to be able to recommend her kettle bell video, because I had alot of fun with it, but I just don't think you could get enough leverage to move the bell around from a seated position. :/

And I'm doing Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism right now, and there's also alot of that that could be done from a seated/laying down position. There's a fair amount of plyo training in it, which you can't do, but there's also alot of kickboxing, which you could do, with some slight modification.

I also think that there's alot of Biggest Loser Bootcamp that you could do from a seated position as well.

Thanks Everyone!

The fracture is on the outside of my foot. The doctor said it attaches to a tendon that runs from the knee to the foot. So, if I start to do something and I feel it pulling, then I should stop immediately.

Should I apply heat to it or just ice?

Just ice. Never heat. So basically you can work out your upper body, and stretch your hamstrings, but absolutely nothing that involves pointing or flexing your ankle in any way. I'd go so far as to exclude quads. Did they show you on the xray what's happening? Basically with mine, instead of the muscle or tendon snapping, the bone gave and a chunk started peeling off like so much string cheese. You absolutely do not want to engage the muscles that pull on that area of your foot as it just pulls that sliver of bone away from bone itself. I know how hard it is to make yourself rest, but take it from me, not being as active and healing properly and quickly is worth it in the end. You want this to heal and be strong, you don't want to feel twinges of pain from that area a year later like I have.