A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone that forms when the bone is injured due to excessive use. It commonly affects the bones in the lower leg and foot, which bear the body's weight. When the muscles in the foot become overworked or stressed, they can no longer manage the pressure. This causes the muscles to transfer the stress to the bone, eventually resulting in a stress fracture.
Stress fractures happen when there is a sudden increase in the level of physical activity. They can also result from repeated impact on hard surfaces, wearing unsuitable footwear, or engaging in more physical activity than the body is prepared for. Athletes who participate in sports like basketball, tennis, or gymnastics are more likely to suffer from stress fractures. These sports involve repeated foot strikes on hard surfaces, which can lead to trauma and muscle fatigue. Additionally, an athlete who does not allow enough time for rest between training sessions may also develop a stress fracture.
Women are more likely to develop stress fractures compared to men, and this may be connected to a condition known as the "female athlete triad." This condition involves three main factors: eating disorders, absence or irregular menstrual periods, and weak bones due to bone loss. The chances of getting a stress fracture increase in women when their bone density becomes lower.
The most common symptom is pain in the foot, which typically becomes more severe during physical activity and improves when resting. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness might also develop at a particular location.
Your doctor will assess your condition by looking at your symptoms and risk factors, and by checking your foot and ankle. Some tests, like an X-ray, MRI scan, or bone scan, may be required to confirm if there is a fracture.
Treatment
Stress fractures can usually be managed without surgery. The standard treatment typically involves rest and avoiding any activities that put strain on the foot and ankle. If children resume their activities too soon, it may result in more serious issues, like stress fractures that are harder to heal. Additionally, there is a chance of re-injury if the stress fracture hasn't fully healed before going back to the activity.
Protective footwear might be suggested to help minimize pressure on the foot. Your doctor could use a cast on the foot to keep the leg still, which also aids in reducing stress. Crutches might be used to avoid putting weight on the foot until the stress fracture has fully healed.
If the fracture does not fully heal with non-surgical methods, surgery may be required. Your doctor will make an incision in the foot and use internal tools such as wires, pins, or plates to keep the broken bones in place while they heal. After the bones have healed, these tools can either be removed or left in the body permanently.
Some of the following measures may help to prevent stress
fractures:
- Always begin new sports activities slowly, then increase pace and intensity gradually to prevent possible injuries.
- Cross-training: You can use multiple exercises that have the same goal to help prevent injury. For instance, you might run on even days and cycle on odd days, rather than running every day. This approach helps reduce the risk of injury caused by overuse. It also spreads out the stress on different muscles, since various activities work the muscles in different ways.
-
Make sure to eat a healthy diet and include foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D.
Make sure your child wears appropriate footwear for all sports activities and do not use shoes that are old or have worn out. - If your child complains of pain and swelling, then immediately stop the activities and make sure that your child rests for few days.
