Stress fractures

Description

Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone. Repeated stress on the bone because of them. Stress often comes from using the same part of the body too. Some examples include jumping up and down a lot or running long distances. Stress fractures can also occur with the regular use of a bone that is weaker due to a condition such as osteoporosis.

Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower part of the leg and the foot. The people at greatest risk of this type of injury include runners and gymnasts. Military recruits who carry heavy loads across long distances, they also have a high risk. But any person may suffer a stress fracture. You can get this type of injury if you start a new exercise program or sport, and you do too much too soon.

Symptoms

In the first place, you can barely notice the pain of a stress fracture. But it tends to be worse if you do more of an activity that puts stress on the cracked bone. The tender feeling to it often starts in a certain place and gets better during the break. You also myfight swelling around the painful area.

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you have ongoing pain. Get help as soon as possible if you feel the pain, even when you are resting or at night. When people with stress fractures to obtain early treatment, they are more likely to recover faster. And are less likely to have complications.

Causes

Stress fractures often occur when you increase the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly.

The bone can adapt to a greater amount of stress, but it takes time to do so. During a lifelong process called remodeling, old bone tissue is destroyed and rebuilt. This process is accelerated when supporting the weight of the load on the bone increases.

The risk of a stress fracture is raised when a bone is an unusual amount of force without sufficient time to recover. The bone tissue are destroyed faster than the body can replace it.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of stress fractures are:

  • Specific sports. Stress fractures are more common in people who do activities that put a high level of re -petitive stress on the joints. These include track and field, cross-country, basketball, tennis, dance, and gymnastics.
  • Most of the activity. Stress fractures often occur in people who suddenly change from an inactive lifestyle to a workout routine. People whor quickly raise the intensity, duration, or number of training sessions are also in danger.
  • The female sex. The athletes who were born women seem to have an increased risk of stress fractures than those who were born men. The increased risk may be linked to non-gefit enough nutrition to support the demands of training. This can result in irregular menstrual periods, and a condition that involves the weakening of the bones, called osteoporosis. Sometimes, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia may also play a role.
  • Foot problems. People who have flat feet or high, rigid arches are more prone to stress fractures. Shoes worn often contributes to the problem.
  • Weakening of the bones. Conditions such as osteoporosis can weaken the bones and make it easier for stress fractures to occur.
  • Past stress fractures. After having had one or more stress fractures puts you at higher risk of having more.
  • The lack of nutrients. Eating disorders and the lack of vitamin D and calcium can make bones more likely to develop stress fractures.

Complications

A little bit of stress fractures that do not heal properly. That can cause long-term problems. It is important that you not restart the activity that caused the stress fracture too soon. If it does, it could put them at higher risk of most of the stress fractures that may be more difficult to heal.

Prevention

Simple steps can help prevent stress fractures.

  • Make changes gradually. Starting any new exercise program slowly. Goal is to make gradual progress over time. Do not accumulate the amount or intensity in more than 10% per week.
  • The use of appropriate footwear. Make sure that your shoes fit well and adapted to your activity. Think about how to get new running shoes if yours are old or worn. If you have flat feet, ask your doctor about the supports for the arch of the shoes.
  • Cross-train. Add low-impact activities to your exercise routine. These include biking and walking. It puts less stress on the bones of the high-impact activities, like running.
  • Get proper nutrition. Make sure that your diet includes enough calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients. These help the bones to be strong.

Stress fractures

Diagnosis

To find out if you have a stress fracture, your doctor will ask about your health and do a physical exam. Often, imaging tests are also necessary. These could include:

  • The x-ray stress fractures often can't be seen on regular x-rays taken shortly after your pain starts. It can take weeks for signs of stress fractures that appear on x-rays.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to make images of the bones and soft tissues. This test is considered the best way to find stress fractures.
  • Computed tomography. This series of X-rays can take detailed images of the inside of the body. This can be useful when the results of a magnetic resonance imaging are not clear.
  • Bone scan. This test is not done often. Many types of problems in the bones seem to be on the bone scan, so the test is not specific for stress fractures. It also uses a high dose of radiation. But a bone scan may be recommended if your doctor thinks you may have a stress fracture after a LORDthat I can't find signs of the injury. With a bone scan, a small amount of radioactive material is given through a needle placed into a vein. The material is absorbed mainly in the areas where the bones are being repaired. These are shown in the scanned image as a bright white spot.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce the weight-bearing bones of the load until it heals. You might need to wear a walking boot or brace or use crutches.

Sometimes, surgery is needed to help a stress fracture to heal completely. You may be more likely to need surgery for the stress fractures that occur in areas with a poor blood supply. The surgery may also be a treatment option to help the healing in the elite athletes who want to return to their sport before. May be an option for workers whose work involves the use of theffected part of the body.

Let your doctor know if you have pain. You may be required to take small amounts of acetaminophen for the relief. You'll likely be told to stay away from analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids). These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Nsaids may delay healing of the bone.

Self-care

It is important to give the bone time to heal. This can take weeks or months. In the meantime:

  • Rest. Keep out of the affected limb as directed by your doctor. Do this until you are cleared to bear weight.
  • Of ice. This can relieve the swelling and pain. Place ice packs on the injured area for 15 minutes every three hours.
  • Get active slowly. When your doctor says it is okay, you can start to do activities that are soft in bone, such as swimming. Then, slowly, take your normal activities. Returning to running or other high-impact activities over time. Build up the time and distance gradually. Stop any activity that causes pain at the site of the stress fracture. Replace with an activity that puts less stress on the bone until the pain goes away.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your primary care physician. If you are a competitive athlete, you might to go directly to a doctor who treats problems with muscles, and bone.

What you can do

Before the appointment, make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including your level and type of physical activity, and if you've recently been training more.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take. Include the amount you take, also called dose.
  • Questions to ask your doctor.

Have a family member or friend if you can. The person that could help you remember the information they give you.

For stress fractures, basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Should I stop my activity? For how long?
  • Should I see a specialist?

Feel free to ask questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Have you recently increased your physical activity?
  • You have broken bones in the past?
  • What hasfive regular menstrual periods?
  • Do you have any dietary restrictions?
  • Do you take vitamin D and calcium supplements?
The symptoms and treatment of Stress fractures