About this topic
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in bones. These fractures most often happen when muscles are overused. Normally, muscles act as shock absorbers. When muscles are overused or tired, some of the shock gets transferred to the bone. Tiny cracks can happen. Most of the time, these will heal. Sometimes, these tiny cracks can grow larger. This may become a full break that goes all the way through the bone. Most stress fractures happen in the lower leg and foot. They can also happen in the hip, pelvis, and spine. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest your injured area. Your doctor may have you wear a splint, brace, cast, or walking boot to limit your movement. Avoid any activities that make your pain worse.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Prop your injured area on pillows to help with swelling.
- Compression ¢ ˆ ’ An ACE wrap can be wrapped lightly around the injured area for support and to ease swelling.
- Use arch supports or shoe inserts if your doctor suggests you do this.
- Sometimes, the doctor orders a walking boot or cast.
- Use crutches if your doctor suggests you do this.
- Do gentle exercises for stretching and for strengthening as your doctor or physical therapist suggests. Slowly add to the intensity and amount of exercise you do.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may send you to physical therapy (PT). The PT will teach you exercises to get back your strength and motion. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
Will physical activity be limited?
You may need to rest your injured part for 3 to 6 weeks. You may need to rest for a longer time period based on where your injury is. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Trouble healing
- Trouble moving the injured part
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Warm up slowly and stretch your muscles before you work out. Use good ways to train, such as slowly adding to how far you run. Do not work out if you are overly tired. Take extra care if working out in cold weather.
- Always wear proper equipment and footwear when running or playing sports. Replace old shoes often.
- Wear shoes with good support. Consider wearing arch supports if you have flat feet.
- If you are a runner, change your shoes after 350 to 500 miles.
- Avoid walking or running on uneven surfaces.
- Try swimming, biking, or walking instead of running to lessen the impact on your feet. If you like to run, try cross training or alternating running with these other activities on different days.
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Keep a healthy weight so there is not extra stress on your joints. Eat a healthy diet to keep your muscles healthy.
- Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- You are having more problems walking
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my fracture.
- I can tell you how I will care for my injured area.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more pain or I am having more problems walking.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00112 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/stress_fractures.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚