WHAT IS A STRESS FRACTURE?
Stress fractures of bone, whether in the leg, ankle or foot can occur as a result of repetitive
activity such as running or jumping. When stress is applied to the bone faster than it can
respond, the bone structure begins to fail and pain will radiate from the site of the stressed
area. If the bone structure fails more significantly by breaking through the outer shell of
the bone, this will produce pain and swelling and make normal activity impossible. Many
stress fractures are often called “hairline fracture”, and take longer to become symptomatic
enough to stop activity. Athletes will typically push through their activity, ignoring the pain
and warning signs.
Common stress injuries occur when athletes:
- Escalate their training, whether in duration or amount of weight
- Alter training technique, new shoes or surface they train on
- Lack proper nutrition to maintain strong bone structure
- Lack of rest or recovery time
The pain of a stress fracture can progress to become painful before, during and after an
activity. When this occurs, it’s important to listen to your body and seek medical attention
for a full assessment of the pain. Our Sports Medicine physicians are experienced in
evaluating these injuries and can provide treatment options for a full recovery. One of the
worst things that can happen to an athlete is that they try to return to the same activity too
soon with the same intensity that caused the injury. Typical recovery time for a stress
fracture is often 6-8 weeks.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain while performing an activity, TEXT or CALL
856.690.1616 to schedule an appointment with one of our board certified, fellowship
trained Sports Medicine physicians.
