Stress fractures can happen anywhere in the body. Most commonly, they’re found in the foot and ankle but can occur in the femur or even in the pelvis. Stress fractures are sustained from repetitive force through a bone over a longer period of time. This type of fracture is common in runners, especially those that increase their training load quickly.
Causes
Stress fractures are caused by longer durations of repetitive loading through a bone. Bone, similar to other tissues in our body, can repair from injury and become stronger over time. However, if there is consistent, repetitive load on the bone without adequate time for healing, the bone will become weak and more susceptible to cracking. This type of bone weakening is called a “stress response” and typically precludes a stress fracture.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a stress fracture vary depending upon the location of the injury. Usually, stress fractures feel like a deep ache or burning sensation in the bone. The muscles surrounding the fracture site may feel very tight and difficult to loosen up. There is often pain at rest, and the bone may be locally tender to the touch. Swelling may or may not occur, so that particular symptom is not an accurate indicator of a stress fracture.
Diagnosis
Stress fractures are difficult to diagnose. They often don’t appear on x-rays because of the small, hairline nature of the bone injury. An MRI or bone scan, however, may reveal a bone abnormality associated with a stress fracture.
Treatment
Reducing the load on the injured bone is the first step in treating a stress fracture. If the stress fracture is in the foot, a walking boot may be utilized to reduce the impact on the bone and allow for healing. If the stress fracture is somewhere that cannot be immobilized, relative rest is indicated.
Exercise that does not stress or impact the injured bone is critical to maintaining blood flow and joint mobility. Swimming and aqua jogging are good ways to maintain fitness while reducing stress through the damaged bone. Once the fracture has healed, it is important to slowly increase your training load to give the muscles, bones, and surrounding tissues time to adjust and heal.
Prevention
Stress fractures slow down your training plan and can lead to long, drawn-out periods of limited activity. Preventing stress fractures is crucial to maintaining fitness and improving performance. An analysis of running form or movement mechanics by a trained physical therapist can identify any areas in which a bone may be getting more stress or impact. Developing a comprehensive strengthening and stability program to compliment a running or training program can significantly reduce the risk of stress fractures.
Are you at risk for stress fractures? Set up an appointment with your SetPT today to get started in a stress fracture prevention program!
