Stress fractures can occur from over-exercising, especially if you are a runner or do other sports that involve running. Over-exercising can mean increasing your running distance or speed too quickly, running on a different type of surface, such as harder or more unstable surfaces, as well as increasing the amount of hill running. It can also mean that you do not have enough rest days to allow your body to adapt to the increased loading on your bones and joints. Stress fractures are most common in the lower leg and foot (tibia and metatarsals). Some peoplle have biomechanical issues that predispose them to getting a stress fracture, such as foot over pronation, a rigid foot or poor hip muscle strength and control.
Stress fractures are painful while you are running and tend to get more painful as you keep running, as well as feeling worse after running. You can often palpate a tender area on the bone where the stress fracture is. There may be a little localized swelling in the area of the fracture.
The primary treatment for a stress fracture is rest from impact activities and sports. This may be for six weeks to allow the bone time to heal. You may need to use crutches or a moon boot if the symptoms don’t settle down with doing less activity. You will need guidance about return to sports to make sure you don’t reaggravate your stress fracture. Dealing with biomechanical issues that have predisposed you to a stress fracture can begin to be dealt with while your stress fracture is healing. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can help the stress fracture to heal and is offered at e-physiotherapy.
