What is a stress fracture?Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone (microfractures) that develop gradually overtime. Usually due to overuse or repetitive activity that restricts the bone from healing. They are most common in athletes or people who engage in activities or sports that heavily involve running or jumping e.g. soccer, basketball and track and field. Show Stress fractures and regular fractures are different injuries. As you may already know, regular (acute) fractures occur instantaneously and unexpectedly in a single incident, when a force is exerted against the bone that it can not withstand, causing the bone to break or crack. A regular fracture often occurs during traumatic incidents such as sporting injuries, bad falls or vehicle accidents. Stress fractures differ in the way that the onset is gradual and cannot be narrowed down to a single incident. They often occur in the feet and lower limbs as these areas of the body bear the most stress during every day activities and exercise. Common locations of a stress fracture
Uncommon sites that are very serious in nature This is due to these sites being high risk and of non - healing/union;
CausesThe common causes of stress fracture's include:
SymptomsThe most common and generic symptom of a stress fracture is pain in your foot or ankle. Other symptoms associated with the condition may include:
It may start as a dull pain in the foot or ankle that gradually worsens during physical activity and subsides when you're resting. You will have most likely ignored this pain for a period of time until the intensity of the pain increases and it is causing you significant discomfort. DiagnosisWe diagnose a stress fracture by taking into account your signs and symptoms and the history of the injury, in conjunction with performing a physical assessment. If we suspect a stress fracture, we refer for X-ray imaging and in some cases an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. TreatmentIf you are showing signs of a stress fracture, we suggest seeing one of our Brisbane podiatrists to ensure you're started on a treatment plan as soon as possible. The earlier we start treatment, recovery time required will be reduced. Stress fractures usually have multiple factors contributing to the cause of the injury. Therefore, you will often need a personalised combination of the following treatments to allow you to achieve the fastest and most effective recovery so you can return to your regular activities.
Most stress fractures are treated non surgically, however, in severe cases surgical intervention may be required to support the bones by inserting a pin, screw or plate to allow the site to heal. What can happen if I ignore this injury?
PreventionWe recommend the following preventative activities to reduce your risk of developing a stress fracture:
FAQsCan you walk with a stress fracture in the foot?It depends on the severity of your stress fracture, so our podiatrists will let you know whether it's okay to walk on your injury or if a moonboot or orthotic therapy is required. How long does it take for my stress fracture to heal?Stress fractures commonly take between 6-8 weeks to heal if the patient is following the recommended treatment. What is the fastest way to heal a stress fracture?Combining rest, the treatment plan from your podiatrist and a nutritious diet is the fastest and most effective way to treat a stress fracture. Your body will heal faster if it's getting the required nutrients from your diet. Studies completed by Bone & Joint Research and Loyola University Health System determined that smoking and binge drinking impair the body's ability to heal broken bones. So, it is also recommended you quit smoking and eliminate or decrease your consumption of alcohol when trying to heal a stress fracture quickly. How do you know if you have a stress fracture on top of your foot?Physical symptoms of a stress fracture. Pain, aching, and tenderness that worsens during and after physical activity or movement.. Relief from pain during periods of rest.. Swelling on the ankle or top of your foot.. Bruising and swelling at the site of the stress fracture.. Can you walk with a stress fracture on top of foot?Walking and putting weight on a stress fracture in your foot can worsen the injury and possibly cause the bone to break completely. Your doctor will let you know when it's safe to resume your usual activities. If you try to take on too much before your injury is fully healed, you could re-injure yourself.
Does stress fracture in foot cause swelling?At first, you might barely notice the pain associated with a stress fracture, but it tends to worsen with time. The tenderness usually starts at a specific spot and decreases during rest. You might have swelling around the painful area.
How do you treat a stress fracture on the top of your foot?RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.. Rest. Avoid activities that put weight on your foot. ... . Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. ... . Compression. To prevent additional swelling, lightly wrap the area in a soft bandage.. Elevation.. |