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, CALL or TEXT 856.690.1616 to schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified, Fellowship Trained Sports Medicine Physicians.
