Do Not Ask Me If You Do Not Know Your Pain Numbers

In the Injured Runners Aid Station, I get questions from injured runners that stop me in my tracks.
“I got this injury while running. I had a stress fracture. It was grade two stress fracture. It’s been six weeks. How much longer will it be before I can run?”
Every injured runner wants to know when it will be safe to run. But, I cannot make that decision based on that information. It seems crazy, but “how long until you can run” is never just about “how long since the injury started.”
Do not ask me if you don’t know your pain numbers.
That’s what we’re talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

[@bradencampbell2328]

Hi there, I had a bone scan and have been diagnosed with “Tiny stress fracture right mid femur associated with very mild periosteal reaction and moderate focal osteolytic activity.” It has been roughly six weeks since I had the major pain and stopped running about 5 weeks back. I have not had any pain walking for about 4 weeks, and have tried a few runs over the last couple of weeks and I can notice a dull ache in the area when running, but not painful at all. Also can hop on the affected leg pain free. How long would you recommend before beginning running again. Is it normal to have a little ache when returning? Also the scan was done a week ago.