One of the most common injuries in sports is a stress fracture. Overcoming an injury like a stress fracture can be difficult, but it can be done.
What is a Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone. Stress fractures are caused
by the repetitive application of force, often by overuse — such as
repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress
fractures also can arise from normal use of a bone that's been weakened
by a condition such as osteoporosis.
Stress Fractures Occur in Two Scenarios:
- Excessive force through normal bone
- Excessive force through abnormal bone eg Osteoporosis
Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the
lower leg and foot. Track and field athletes are particularly
susceptible to stress fractures, but anyone can experience a stress
fracture. If you're starting a new exercise program, for example, you
may be at risk if you do too much too soon.
What Causes a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is an overuse injury.
It occurs when muscles become fatigued and are unable to absorb added
shock. Eventually, the fatigued muscle transfers the overload of stress
to the bone causing a tiny crack called a stress fracture.
Stress fractures often are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly. They also can be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface (a runner who has switched surfaces from grass to concrete); improper equipment (a runner using too rigid or too flexible shoes); and increased physical stress (a player who has had a substantial increase in playing time).
Where Do Stress Fractures Occur?
Most stress fractures occur in the weightbearing bones of the lower leg and the foot. More than 50 percent of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg.
Common sites include:
- Metatarsal (Foot)
- Navicular (Mid-Foot)
- Tibia (Shin)
- Neck of Femur (Hip)
- Pars Intraarticularis (Lumbar Spine - Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis)
What Activities are Susceptible to Stress Fractures?
Sports that involve the repeated impacts of running and landing are vulnerable to stress fractures.
Studies have shown that athletes participating in tennis, track and field, gymnastics, and basketball are very susceptible to stress fractures. In all of these sports, the repetitive stress of the foot striking the ground can cause trauma. Without sufficient rest between workouts or competitions, an athlete is at risk for developing a stress fracture.
Are Women More Susceptible to Stress Fractures than Men?
Stress fractures affect people of all ages who participate in repetitive sporting activities, like running.
Studies have shown that female athletes seem to experience more stress fractures than their male counterparts.
This is attributed to a condition referred to as "the female athlete triad":
- eating disorders (bulimia or anorexia),
- amenorrhea (infrequent menstrual cycle), and
- osteoporosis (reduced bone density).
As a female's bone mass decreases, her chances of getting a stress fracture increase.
What are the Symptoms of a Stress Fracture?
Pain with activity is the most common complaint with a stress fracture.
This pain subsides with rest.
How are Stress Fractures Diagnosed?
It is very important that during your examination that your health practitioner evaluates the patient's risk factors for stress fracture.
X-rays are commonly used to determine stress fracture. Sometimes, the stress fracture cannot be seen on regular x-rays or will not show up for several weeks after the pain starts.
Occasionally, a computed topography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be necessary.MRI is the the most specific and sensitive test available.
Bone scan will identify "hot spots", which may indicate stress fractures or tumours etc.
How are Stress Fractures Treated?
The most important treatment is rest. Individuals need to rest from the activity that caused the stress fracture, and engage in a pain-free activity during the six to eight weeks it takes most stress fractures to heal.
If the activity that caused the stress fracture is resumed too quickly, larger, harder-to-heal stress fractures can develop. Re-injury also could lead to chronic problems where the stress fracture might never heal properly.
While you are resting from your sport, it is wise to be screened for predisposing factors. A team approach is recommended.
- Sports Physician/Doctor to address bone density, hormomal issues, calcium, Vitamin D etc
- Dietician to ensure adequate nutrition.
- Podiatrist for foot biomechanics assessment
- Psychologist to assist with return to sport issues
- Physiotherapist for whole lower limb and core muscle and joint function
- Orthopaedic Surgeon for surgical intervention if required.
Common Treatments for Stress Fractures
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How to Prevent Stress Fractures
- When participating in any new sports activity, set incremental goals. For example, do not immediately set out to run five kilometres a day; instead, gradually build up your mileage on a weekly basis. Use the 10% rule.
- Cross-training -- alternating activities that accomplish the same fitness goals -- can help to prevent injuries like stress fractures. Instead of running every day to meet cardiovascular goals, run on even days and bike on odd days. Add some strength training and flexibility exercises to the mix for the most benefit.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure you incorporate calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods in your meals.
- Use the proper equipment. Do not wear old or worn running shoes. Be guided by your podiatrist.
- Undertake a Musculoskeletal Screening performed by your Sports Physiotherapist.
- If pain or swelling occurs, immediately stop the activity and rest for a few days. If continued pain persists, see an orthopaedic surgeon.
- It is important to remember that if you recognise the symptoms early and treat them appropriately, you can return to sports at your normal playing level.
This article is based on information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Mayo Clinic.
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