Stress fractures are some of the most common sports injuries. They are tiny breaks in the bone, usually caused by repetitive stress from activities like running. Although they can be quite painful, they usually heal themselves if you rest for a few months.
What Are the Symptoms of a Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures usually cause dull pain around the site of the fracture. This pain usually gets worse while exercising, walking, or standing. Another symptom is swelling in the area.
What Causes Stress Fractures?
Many sports raise the risk of stress fractures. Activities that require running and jumping may cause fractures in the legs or feet. More than half of all adult and adolescent stress fractures occur in the lower leg bones. Of these, fractures of the tibia -- the long bone of our lower leg -- are the most common at about 24% of all stress fractures.
Other sports that require repetitive movements -- like pitching or rowing -- can result in stress fractures of the humerus (arm bone), but these are much rarer.
What Puts You at Risk for Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures are much more likely to develop in people who have just started a new exercise or abruptly stepped up the intensity of their workout. When the muscles aren't conditioned, they tire easily and can't support and cushion the bones as well. More pressure goes directly on the bones, which can lead to a fracture.
Stress fractures seem to be more common in women. Other risk factors for stress fractures include:
- Drinking more than 10 alcoholic drinks a week
- Smoking
- Running more than 25 miles a week
- Osteoporosis
- Eating disorders
- Low levels of vitamin D
What Is the Treatment for Stress Fractures?
First aid for stress fractures : It’s important to see your doctor, because the bone could break completely without treatment. In the meantime, follow the RICE guidelines:
- Rest. Avoid weight-bearing activities. Wear a stiff-soled, supportive shoe if necessary.
- Ice. To ease swelling, ice the area for 24 to 48 hours. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply for 20 minutes at a time. Never put ice directly on your skin.
- Compression. Wrap a soft bandage around the area to ease swelling.
- Elevation. Use pillows to raise your foot or leg higher than your heart.
- Medications for stress fractures
You can take over-the-counter medications to manage pain but please seek expert advice before doing so.