I seek advice!

[Enrique2010]

Im here mainly for advice. My original bootcamp date is March 22nd. They offered this morning to send me next week. Theres just one problem. My leg has been giving me problems for a week now. Its not shin splints I dont think. I can pinpoint the pain, and it has a little lump on the bone. (on the left part of my right leg. Inside part of the shin). I havnt really ran on it just because I have no clue what it is. I cant afford a doc either to get it checked out ( no parents help etc). I looked up the symptons as it hasnt gotten better in the last week. I think its a possible stress fracture which takes about 6 weeks at LEAST to heal. Ive never had one before so I dont know, and I was wondering if any of you Marines think its ok to go to bootcamp with it. It doesnt hurt alot, but when I put pressure on it, I can feel it there. Its bearable, but who knows how worse it can get. Ill take any advice on what I should do, and on what might be wrong with my shin. Thanks for your time Marines.

[Vandrel]

Not a good idea to ship with that condition. If it would hamper your abilitary to pass the initial PFT once you get to boot camp then you'll get dropped from training and possibly sent home if it's serious. Going to boot camp with something serious will only make it worse, if you try to rid it out it could become a issue that would force you out of the service completely and you won't be able to get back in.

Try and do whatever you can to get that thing checked out before you ship. Talk to your recruiter and see what he can do for you, I'm sure he could find a way to get you checked out.

[SGTBrentG]

Agreed! If you have a stress fracture, you WILL NOT make it through boot camp! Also agree that even if it's not a stress fracture, you could make it worse and be forced out and possibly not get back in. Get it checked out first!

[Enrique2010]

Alright then Thanks for the help SgtBrent and Vandrel. I'll see what my recruiter says.

[Enrique2010]

I talked to my recruiter about getting it checked out somehow. He referred me to the Gunnery Sgt who then said there was nothing they could do. He didnt seem like he cared much. His next word was "Later". As in ttyl lol. Im really thinking its a stress fracture as I have all the symptoms. It cant be shin splints because they normally stop hurting. I can pinpoint this pain ands the size of a nickel and has a little lump which is possibly calcium deposits trying to repair the fracture. Well again, thanks for the help. I'll see how it feels in about a month.

P.S. Ive also been trying to strengthen my calves and shins. Any good exercises for it? I do the wall toe raises and alphabet for shins, and body weight calf raises. I dont want more pressure on my legs that'll irritate the possible fracture.

[Lisa 23]

I talked to my recruiter about getting it checked out somehow. He referred me to the Gunnery Sgt who then said there was nothing they could do. He didnt seem like he cared much. His next word was "Later". As in ttyl lol. Im really thinking its a stress fracture as I have all the symptoms. It cant be shin splints because they normally stop hurting. I can pinpoint this pain ands the size of a nickel and has a little lump which is possibly calcium deposits trying to repair the fracture. Well again, thanks for the help. I'll see how it feels in about a month.

P.S. Ive also been trying to strengthen my calves and shins. Any good exercises for it? I do the wall toe raises and alphabet for shins, and body weight calf raises. I dont want more pressure on my legs that'll irritate the possible fracture.

Symptoms of a Stress Fracture

Stress fractures (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information) usually cause dull pain around the site of the fracture. This pain worsens while exercising (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm), walking, or standing. Another symptoms is swelling in the area.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/stress-fractures-symptoms

If you think you have a stress fracture, why are you still trying to strengthening your calves and shins? You are only going to aggravate the pain more and cause more problems for yourself in the long run. My advice to you is to try and stay off your leg and give the leg plenty of rest. It's the only way it's going to heal.

[Lisa 23]

Treatment for Stress Fractures

The initial treatment for a stress fracture is to elevate the extremity and rest while the bone heals itself. Ice the affected area for 24 to 48 hours and reduce your activity. For pain, you may use NSAIDs (http://arthritis.webmd.com/features/pain-relief-how-nsaids-work) (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. In rare cases, however, they may delay healing long term. Depending on which bone is involved, your doctor may recommend a splint or cast to immobilize the affected area.

When the swelling has decreased to the point you can see skin creases, you can begin partially putting weight on the area. In some cases, crutches or a cane is necessary. Usually you can begin full weight bearing at two weeks after the symptoms started. Weight bearing stimulates healing.

For the next six to eight weeks -- or until you're free of pain -- avoid the activity that caused the stress fracture. If you exercise (http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm) again too soon, you could delay the healing process. You could even cause damage that may never heal properly.

When you are ready to return to the activity, do it slowly. If you rush back in, you could re-injure yourself.

Very severe stress fractures (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information) that won't heal on their own may require surgery. Full recovery may take months or years.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/stress-fractures-treatment