![]() ![]() Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. This section needs additional citations for verification. Anterior tibial stress fractures elicit focal tenderness on the anterior tibial crest, while posterior medial stress fractures can be tender at the posterior tibial border. Pressure applied to the bone may reproduce symptoms and reveal crepitus in well-developed stress fractures. There is usually an area of localized tenderness on or near the bone and generalized swelling in the area. If pain is constantly present it may indicate a more serious bone injury. In cases of fibular stress fractures, pain occurs proximal to the lateral malleolus, that increases with activity and subsides with rest. Symptoms usually have a gradual onset, with complaints that include isolated pain along the shaft of the bone and during activity, decreased muscular strength and cramping. Stress fractures are typically discovered after a rapid increase in exercise. Treatment usually consists of rest followed by a gradual return to exercise over a period of months. Less common are stress fractures to the femur, pelvis, and sacrum. ![]() Stress fractures most frequently occur in weight-bearing bones of the lower extremities, such as the tibia and fibula (bones of the lower leg), metatarsal and navicular bones (bones of the foot). Stress fractures of the foot are sometimes called " march fractures" because of the injury's prevalence among heavily marching soldiers. Stress fractures can be described as small cracks in the bone, or hairline fractures. ![]() Because of this mechanism, stress fractures are common overuse injuries in athletes. Instead of resulting from a single severe impact, stress fractures are the result of accumulated injury from repeated submaximal loading, such as running or jumping. Stress fracture of the second metatarsal bone (below the knuckles of the second toe)Ī stress fracture is a fatigue-induced bone fracture caused by repeated stress over time. This limits the stress occurring on specific muscles as different activities use muscles in different ways.Hairline fracture, fissure fracture, march fracture, spontaneous fracture, fatigue fracture For example you may run on even days and ride a bike on odd days, instead of running everyday, to reduce the risk of injury from overuse. Cross-training: Use a variety of exercises to achieve your goals.Ensure to start any new sport activity slowly and progress gradually.Some of the following measures may help to prevent stress fractures: Mr Gordon may use internal fixation (screws and/or plates). Surgery may be required if the fracture has not healed completely by non-surgical methods. Crutches may be used to reduce the weight on the leg until the stress fracture has healed. Mr Gordon may apply a removable boot to the leg to immobilise it, which helps to reduce the stress. Protective footwear may be recommended which helps to reduce stress on the foot. Mr Gordon uses the novel Exogen ultrasound device to help heal stress fractures. Re-injury can also occur without allowing the stress fracture to completely heal. Stress fractures can usually be treated without surgery which includes activity modification and anti inflammatories. Some diagnostic tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan or bone scan may be required to confirm the fracture.Ī second metatarsal (foot) stress fracture (arrow) My Gordon will diagnosis the condition after taking a detailed history and examining you. Swelling, bruising, and tenderness may also occur at a specific point. The most common symptom is pain in the foot, ankle or lower leg, which usually gets worse during exercises and decreases upon resting. The risk of developing stress fractures increases in females if the bone weight decreases. It is a combination of eating disorders, amenorrhea (irregular menstrual cycle), and osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). An athlete with inadequate rest between workouts can also develop a stress fracture.įemales are at a greater risk of developing stress fractures than males, and may be related to a condition referred to as “female athlete triad”. During these sports, the repetitive stress of the foot on a hard surface causes trauma. Athletes participating in certain sports such as running, basketball, tennis or gymnastics are at a greater risk of developing stress fractures. They can also be caused by repetitive impact on a hard surface, improper footwear, and increased physical activity. Stress fractures may be caused by a rapid increase in the intensity of exercise. It commonly develops in the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula) and foot (metatarsals and other foot bones). Read What Mr Gordon’s Patients Are SayingĪ stress fracture is a small crack in the bone which occurs from an overuse injury. ![]()
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