CONDITIONS 101

How to identify a stress fracture

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repetitive force and overuse. Running long distances and repeatedly jumping up and down are common causes.

If you have a condition such as osteoporosis, stress fractures can develop from normal use.

If stress fractures are not allowed to heal properly, they can cause chronic problems. Underlying causes can put you at higher risk of additional stress fractures.

“Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Track and field athletes and military recruits who carry heavy packs over long distances are at highest risk, but anyone can sustain a stress fracture.”

Signs and symptoms

Pain and tenderness caused by stress fractures can be mild and barely noticeable at first, but they often worsen over time. The pain usually starts at a specific spot and decreases during rest. There might be swelling around the tender area. You should contact your doctor if the pain becomes severe or if you feel pain when resting or at night.

Causes

“Stress fractures often result from increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Bone adapts gradually to increased loads through remodeling, a normal process that speeds up when the load on the bone increases. During remodeling, bone tissue is destroyed (resorption), then rebuilt. Bones subjected to unaccustomed force without enough time for recovery resorb cells faster than your body can replace them, which makes you more susceptible to stress fractures.”