Stress fractures are tiny cracks that develop in the weight-bearing bones. These are often caused by repetitive force to the bone such as during long marches, by repeatedly jumping up and down, or by running long distances. Because the cracks are tiny, you may be able to walk despite them, albeit painfully. However, doctors do not recommend this.
Stressing the fracture site repeatedly may cause the cracks to widen and the bone to weaken further. Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances. Stress fractures are overuse injuries that occur in the weight-bearing bones of the lower body. They may develop when you subject your bones to repeated stress and force such as running, walking, or jumping and landing. The bones most likely to sustain stress fractures are as follows:
- Fibula: The outer lower leg bone
- Tibia: Shinbone (the inner lower leg bone)
- Second and third metatarsals: The bones of the foot, just behind the toes
- Calcaneus: The heel bone
- Navicular: A midfoot bone close to where the top of the foot meets the ankle
- Talus: One of the bones in the ankle joint
Much less common, but still possible, bones that can undergo stress fractures are as follows:
- Femur: The thigh bone
- Pelvis
- Sacrum: The base of the spine
Although not as common, stress fractures can occur in the upper body (for example, in the ribs, wrists, or arm bones). If you are an athlete who uses your arms, shoulders, or trunk forcefully or if you have a loss of bone density from age or osteoporosis, you may experience a stress fracture above the waist.
How do I know if I have a stress fracture?
Normally, the body can sufficiently heal these microfractures, leading to a stronger bone that will accommodate these higher forces in the future. However, when forces on the foot are such that the body’s healing response cannot keep up, a stress reaction can develop. Eventually, if the forces continue, the bone structure can fail, and a stress fracture will occur. An individual’s lack of sufficient biology (low calcium, vitamin D, or thyroid hormone) to heal microfractures can also contribute or lead to stress fractures. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a stress fracture:
- Pain that you feel most when you’re active; this pain gets more intense over the course of activity but improves with rest. Some people describe the pain of a stress fracture as deep soreness that gradually becomes debilitating or excruciating as you continue to move. The pain builds over time, eventually making the activity difficult if not impossible. When you rest, the pain subsides, but it will likely return when you resume activity.
- Swelling around the site of the injury
- Tenderness
- Bruising
The only real way to confirm a stress fracture is to see a doctor for imaging.
- X-rays: Most foot and ankle fractures can be seen clearly on an X-ray. Several different angles of bone images may be necessary to successfully diagnose the condition. However, stress fractures may not show up on X-rays until they begin to heal, which is why additional scans or imaging tests may be necessary.
- Bone scan: This scan helps identify breaks, fractures, and stress fractures by imaging a small amount of material that is injected into the imaging area. Damaged areas show up as bright spots on the image.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans: These are used because oftentimes they may reveal more details about the bone and soft tissue around it than an X-ray image. CT scans combine multiple X-ray images to provide cross-sectional images of your foot and bones.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowWhat is the medical treatment for stress fractures?
Rest is the key to the initial treatment of a stress fracture.
- You may need a walking boot or brace along with a cast or crutches to help rest the injured area and limit the amount of weight bearing allowed.
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are useful to help with inflammation and pain. Narcotic pain medications (codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone) may be considered initially to help with pain control.
- Doctors may prescribe you calcium and vitamin D supplements to supplement your bone health.
- Avoiding any activities that caused the injury or exacerbate the symptoms may help heal the stress fracture.
- Doctors recommend correcting any risk factor that may predispose to further stress fractures, including training issues, footwear, and nutritional or hormonal deficiencies.
- Certain stress fractures may require surgery to aid in healing or prevent nonhealing (non-union) or refracture. Internal fixation is the surgical method used for more severe stress fractures. During this procedure, pins, screws, and/or plates are used to hold the bones together.
- During the healing process, doctors may recommend physical therapy to stretch muscle and restore range of motion and proper exercise to rebuild mobility and strength.
Stress fractures typically take 6-8 weeks to heal, and doctors normally recommend switching to non-weight-bearing activities during that period.
Top Can You Walk on a Stress Fracture? Related Articles
Anxiety, Stress, and Worry
What is the definition of anxiety, stress, and worry? Find treatments to relieve stress, eliminate worry, and combat anxiety as you discover how stress affects your body. Learn whether stress fights colds or encourages them, why some stress is bad and some is good, and why exercise and diet can be relaxing.
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve the health and well-being of a person, which may help with anxiety, and some adverse effects of cancer therapy, such as insomnia and nausea. Essential oils, in addition to producing aroma, ease symptoms of stress, anxiety, and headaches, and promote more profound levels of relaxation and quality sleep.
comfrey
Comfrey leaves, roots, and rhizomes have been traditionally used for varied medicinal purposes such as local application for skin ulcers, joint and muscle pains, fractures, and osteoarthritis. Common side effects of comfrey include liver damage, liver enlargement, veno-occlusive disease, decrease in urine output, lethargy, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite (anorexia). Comfrey contains toxic compounds that can cause liver and lung injury. Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Job Stress and Your Health
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale. Stress on the job can be damaging to your health in that job stress is the outcome when job demands cannot be met.
Holiday Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
Though the holidays are a fun time for most, for others, they're a sad, lonely and anxiety-filled time. Get tips on how to avoid depression and stress during the holiday season.
How Long Does the Fibula Take to Heal?
The fibula is the long, thin bone of the lower leg on the side of the little toe. The fibula usually takes about three to six months to heal.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Fractured Growth Plate?
Growth plates are the areas of new bone growth in children and teens. Bone fractures in children heal quickly as compared to adults, but fractures of the growth plate may require several weeks to heal.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric condition, can develop after any catastrophic life event. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, sweating, rapid heart rate, detachment, amnesia, sleep problems, irritability, and exaggerated startle response. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, group support, and medication.
Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but chronic or severe stress can be harmful to your health. Learn what happens in your body when you are stressed and how you can manage your response.
What Is the Fastest Way to Heal a Stress Fracture?
Learn what medical treatments can help ease your stress fracture symptoms and speed up your recovery.