If you’re an athlete or someone who participates in regular physical activity, you might have heard of the term “stress fracture.”
What exactly is a stress fracture? How does it occur, what are its symptoms, and most importantly, how can it be treated?
In this blog, we’ll delve into these questions and provide a comprehensive overview of this common overuse injury.
What is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a crack in a bone that occurs over time due to repetitive force, often from overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress fractures are common in weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot, although they can occur in other bones, as well.
Causes of Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are primarily overuse injuries, typically resulting from excessive pressure on a bone without adequate recovery time following physical activities. These injuries often develop gradually due to repetitive motion, such as training for a sport or performing the same type of movement throughout the workday.
The initial stage of a stress fracture is inflammation on the surface of a bone, referred to medically as a stress reaction. This condition is similar to a deep bone bruise.
If the pressure continues on the same spot before the stress reaction has a chance to heal, the bone can crack, leading to a stress fracture. Over time, the bruise penetrates deeper into the bone, weakening it to the point of breakage. At this stage, a stress reaction evolves into a stress fracture.
Several common causes contribute to the development of stress fractures:
- Overtraining: Engaging in practice or training too frequently without sufficient rest periods can lead to stress fractures.
- Inadequate Preparation: Starting a new sport or physical activity without proper training, guidance, or equipment can increase the risk of stress fractures.
- Sudden Increase in Activity Level: Abruptly ramping up workouts, training, or other physical activities can put undue stress on the bones, leading to fractures.
- Change in Training or Work Surface: Switching the surface you train or work on, such as transitioning from running on an indoor track to road running or beginning a job that requires standing on a hard floor like concrete, can contribute to stress fractures.
- Working or Training with Improper Equipment: The use of unsuitable or worn-out equipment can increase the risk of these injuries.
- Early Sports Specialization: Children who specialize in a single sport too early and play it year-round without taking breaks between seasons are more likely to experience stress fractures compared to those who engage in a variety of sports.
- Bone Insufficiency: Conditions like osteoporosis can weaken the bones, making them more susceptible to stress fractures.
Symptoms of Stress Fractures
The most common symptom of a stress fracture is pain. This can develop gradually and worsen during weight-bearing activities. Other symptoms may include:
- Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture
- Swelling, without any apparent bruising
- Increased pain and swelling with activity
- Decreased pain and swelling with rest
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, it’s essential to seek medical attention from a bone doctor. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to more severe injuries and longer recovery times.
Diagnosing a Stress Fracture
To diagnose a stress fracture, your bone doctor will start by asking about your activity level and symptoms. They may also perform a physical exam to pinpoint the location of the pain.
Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or bone scans might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, as stress fractures often don’t show up on regular X-rays until several weeks or months.
Treatment of Overuse Injury
Treatment of overuse injuries like stress fractures usually involves rest, which may mean stopping the activity that caused the stress fracture at least for a few weeks or until the bone has had time to heal.
During this time, a person may need to switch to an activity that does not put excessive pressure on the affected bone, such as cycling, swimming, or water aerobics.
Other treatments include:
- Protection and Support: In some cases, a brace or boot might be necessary to immobilize the affected bone and provide support during the healing process.
- Physical Therapy: Once healed, physical therapy can help strengthen the affected area and prevent future injuries.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers might be recommended to manage pain.
- Surgery: Surgery is rarely necessary to treat stress fractures, but it may be required if the bone is severely damaged and doesn’t heal with other treatments.
Bone Doctor Near Me in Hartford County, CT & Springfield, MA
Are you experiencing symptoms like a misshapen limb or joint, pain that ranges from mild to severe, restricted movement, or swelling and tenderness near a suspected fracture site? These could be signs of a bone fracture.
At Advanced Orthopedics New England, we offer comprehensive care for orthopedic injuries, including stress fractures. Our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained bone doctors is committed to diagnosing and treating fractures and post-traumatic orthopedic conditions.
If you want to know more about us or make a private consultation with our bone doctor, call us today at (860) 728-6740. We look forward to serving you!
