What is a Stress Fracture
That slowly worsening pain point that holds you back from exercise or daily activities just might be a stress fracture.
What is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a crack in the bone that, although small, can cause a lot of pain and unwanted side effects. The tiny breaks are typically caused by repeated strain and stress, overuse, or overtraining. Stress fractures are often a sports injury or can sometimes result from a bone that's affected by osteoporosis or other degenerative diseases. They are most commonly found in the lower leg and foot.
Symptoms
Causes
Often a sports injury or a result of overuse, stress fractures occur from repetitive force and stress from physical activity and other causes such as:
Risk Factors
Age: Adults over 40 and children under 18 are at risk due to weaker bone strength
Gender: females are more prone to stress fractures
Diet: A poor diet with a lack of nutrients, drinking alcohol frequently, and other dietary issues
Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken the bones
Stress Fractures in the Foot
Stress fractures are most commonly found in the foot and ankle, as they take the brunt of the impact of our weight and day-to-day movements. Wearing high heels for an all-day event, training for a marathon, and other activities that put a lot of sudden increase in stress on the lower extremities can lead to a stress fracture in the foot. The most common site being in the metatarsal bones, leading to dull pain, throbbing, swelling, and aches in the middle of the foot. The heel, ankle, and toe bones can also be affected.
Reducing activity, wearing the right footwear, proper diet, and ensuring proper form and easing into any high-intensity exercise over a period of weeks can help prevent stress fractures in the foot.
Bone Stress Injuries
Bone Stress injuries can ultimately lead to Stress Fractures. Bone Stress Injuries can occur over a long time but can result in a fracture. The twenty six bones found in the feet are subjected to huge stress every day, from walking, running and everything else in between.
Causes for Bone Stress Injuries
Poor form during exercise or training
Inadequate nutrition
Poorly fitted shoes
Disease, or bone disorders
What is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a crack in the bone that, although small, can cause a lot of pain and unwanted side effects. The tiny breaks are typically caused by repeated strain and stress, overuse, or overtraining. Stress fractures are often a sports injury or can sometimes result from a bone that's affected by osteoporosis or other degenerative diseases. They are most commonly found in the lower leg and foot.
Symptoms
- Slowly worsening dull pain, tenderness, swelling or bruising around the injured area
- Pain that starts when engaged in physical activity
- Pain relief when resting after physical activity
- Tenderness to the touch
Causes
Often a sports injury or a result of overuse, stress fractures occur from repetitive force and stress from physical activity and other causes such as:
- long-distance running
- jumping up and down
- intense athletic training
- wearing poor footwear while exercising
- Poor training form or equipment that creates undue stress and impact on the bones
Risk Factors
Age: Adults over 40 and children under 18 are at risk due to weaker bone strength
Gender: females are more prone to stress fractures
Diet: A poor diet with a lack of nutrients, drinking alcohol frequently, and other dietary issues
Medical Conditions: Osteoporosis and other diseases that weaken the bones
Stress Fractures in the Foot
Stress fractures are most commonly found in the foot and ankle, as they take the brunt of the impact of our weight and day-to-day movements. Wearing high heels for an all-day event, training for a marathon, and other activities that put a lot of sudden increase in stress on the lower extremities can lead to a stress fracture in the foot. The most common site being in the metatarsal bones, leading to dull pain, throbbing, swelling, and aches in the middle of the foot. The heel, ankle, and toe bones can also be affected.
Reducing activity, wearing the right footwear, proper diet, and ensuring proper form and easing into any high-intensity exercise over a period of weeks can help prevent stress fractures in the foot.
Bone Stress Injuries
Bone Stress injuries can ultimately lead to Stress Fractures. Bone Stress Injuries can occur over a long time but can result in a fracture. The twenty six bones found in the feet are subjected to huge stress every day, from walking, running and everything else in between.
Causes for Bone Stress Injuries
Poor form during exercise or training
Inadequate nutrition
Poorly fitted shoes
Disease, or bone disorders
