Did you know there are dozens of different ways to break a bone? And not all of them are dramatic, either. Stress fractures are common, especially in the feet and ankles–but they don’t necessarily fit many people’s idea of a broken bone. Nonetheless, stress fracture management is crucial if you want to make a full recovery!
Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone. Unlike the more popular idea of a broken bone, they don’t occur due to a sudden injury but rather develop gradually over time–what’s called an “overuse injury.”
If you’re an athlete, particularly in a sport with a lot of running and jumping, you’re at a higher risk of suffering a stress fracture. The good news is that rehabilitating from a stress fracture is relatively straightforward–and the team at The Physical Therapy Institute is here to help!
Keep reading for some key tips about stress fracture management, including recognizing that you have one and what you should do to facilitate your recovery.
5 Things to Keep in Mind About Stress Fractures
- Know Your Risk:
- Women are significantly more likely to develop stress fractures than men.
- Stress fractures also tend to develop when you start a new exercise program or increase the intensity of your current one.
- Stress fractures tend to impact your feet and lower leg bones, as they take on most of the weight-bearing load.
- Don’t Skip Cross-Training: Among athletes, stress fractures will sometimes develop after you take a season off. By maintaining a conditioning program year-round, you mix up your body’s movements and maintain your overall fitness level.
- Know The Symptoms: As soon as you suspect you might have a stress fracture, visit a PT for guidance. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
- Pain during activity that decreases when you’re at rest.
- Swelling in the affected area.
- Tenderness in the affected area.
- Expect To Modify Your Activities: You have to give your stress fracture time to heal, just as you would any broken bone. Healing will generally take 6-8 weeks, during which time you’ll need to incorporate non-weight-bearing exercise into your routine–something we can help with!
- Get Some Guidance As You Return to Activity: Even after your stress fracture has healed, it’s important that you don’t just jump straight back into things! Our PTs will provide a personalized return-to-activity schedule that will help you safely and quickly return to your chosen sport without risk of injury.
Request an Appointment for More Stress Fracture Management Tips
The most important thing to do if you suspect a stress fracture is to schedule an appointment at The Physical Therapy Institute. Our physical therapists can evaluate your symptoms and provide a personalized treatment plan.
In most cases, the best stress fracture management is conservative–meaning you won’t require surgery or a full cast. Generally speaking, you’ll just need to modify your activities and give the affected area a rest. Once it’s healed, our PTs can guide you through a personalized exercise program to rehabilitate and strengthen the affected area, helping prevent future fractures.
Ready to get started? Request your appointment today!
Tags: stress fractures, bone health, athletic injuries, physical therapy recovery
