Podiatrist Offices Conveniently Located In Kenilworth, Bayonne, Little Ferry & Montclair New Jersey

Innovative Foot & Ankle

Footnotes / Blog

Sunday, January 21st, 2018 Elizabeth Anthony

What is a Stress Fracture?

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone, or severe bruising within a bone.

Most stress fractures are overuse injuries. They occur over time when repetitive forces result in microscopic damage to the bone. Overuse stress fractures occur when an athletic movement is repeated so often, weight-bearing bones and supporting muscles do not have enough time to heal between exercise sessions.

Sudden increases in activity level are another common culprit of stress fractures.

Symptoms

  • Pain that dissipates during rest (most common).
  • Pain that occurs and intensifies during normal, daily activities
  • Swelling on the top of the foot or on the outside of the ankle
  • Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture
  • Possible bruising

Conservative Treatment
Resting and icing are common initial treatment options to decrease pain. Podiatrists will also recommend modified activities that do not place any stress on the injuries bone (such as cycling or swimming).
Protective footwear may be recommended to reduce stress on your foot and leg. This may be a stiff-soled shoe, a wooden-soled sandal, or a removable short-leg fracture brace shoe. Occasionally a hard cast is utilized. 
Surgical Treatment
Internal fixation might be needed if a stress fracture does not heal within 6-8 weeks. Pins, screws, and/or plates are most often used to hold the small bones of the foot and ankle together during the healing process.

Recovery

This requires a gradual return to activity. The physicians at Innovative Foot and Ankle will recommend a slow increase activity as to not overload the affected bone. Refracturing can happen if the patient returns to full activity too soon.

Prevention

The following guidelines can help you prevent stress fractures in the future:

  • Increase Calcium and Vitamin D intake.
  • Use proper equipment. Old or worn running shoes may lose their ability to absorb shock and can lead to injury. In general, athletic shoes should have a softer insole, and a stiffer outer sole.
  • Start new activity slowly. Gradually increase your time, speed, and distance. In most cases, a 10 percent increase per week is appropriate.
  • Vary your activities to help avoid overstressing one area of your body. For example, alternate a high-impact sport like running with lower-impact sports like swimming or cycling.
  • Add strength training to your workout, such as weight lifting. One of the best ways to prevent early muscle fatigue and the loss of bone density that comes with aging is to incorporate strength training.

If you are suffering from foot pain that may be a stress fracture, you should seek medical treatment to confirm the diagnosis. Our locations in Kenilworth NJ, Montclair NJ, Bayonne NJ and Little Ferry NJ are staffed with licensed podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and get you back on your “feet” as soon as possible.

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