What is a Stress Fracture?
The term stress fracture refers to an incomplete bone fracture resulting from overuse, such as repeated jumping or long distance running. Stress fractures, which occur most commonly in the weight bearing bones of the feet and legs, can also result from bone weakening due to osteoporosis.
Symptoms of a stress fracture include: pain and swelling that may increase with activity, earlier onset of discomfort with each successive workout, tenderness in a specific spot, decreased pain and swelling with rest progressing to continued pain at rest as the problem progresses.
To reduce the likelihood of a stress fracture, increase activity levels gradually.
Treatment of Stress Fractures
The primary treatment for stress fractures is rest, often accompanied by a splint, walking boot, or cast to immobilize the affected body part. Prescribed rest periods are often 4-8 weeks, though they can be as long as 12-16 weeks in severe cases.
Following the prescribed rest period, activity should be re-introduced gradually. In rare instances, surgery may be indicated to ensure complete healing of the stress fracture. Seek the advice of a trained medical professional.
Alphabetical Index of Injuries:
» Achilles Tendon Rupture» Achilles Tendonitis
» Calf Pull, Strain, or Tear
» Concussion
» Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
» Dislocated Shoulder
» Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
» Groin Pull, Strain, or Tear
» Hamstring Pull, Strain, or Tear
» Heel Spurs (Bone Spurs)
» High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmotic Ankle Sprain)
» Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
» Little League Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
» Morton’s Neuroma (Plantar Neuroma)
» Plantar Fasciitis
» Runner’s Knee (Chondromalacia Patellae)
» Separated Shoulder
» Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
» Shin Splints
» Sprained AC Joint
» Sprained Ankle
» Stress Fracture (Hairline Fracture)
» Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
» Torn Rotator Cuff
» Turf Toe (Metatarsalphalangeal Joint Sprain)