Print | Search | Send-to-Friend | Health Library Home

Stress Fracture

(Fracture, Stress)

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

• Definition • Causes • Risk Factors • Symptoms • Diagnosis • Treatment • Prevention
En Español (Spanish Version)
 

Definition

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone. They are most common in the lower leg and foot.

Stress Fractures of the Tibia and Fibula

Nucleus factsheet image

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

 

Causes    TOP

This fracture is caused by repeated stress or overuse from:

  • Increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly
  • Changing to a new playing surface
  • Not wearing the right shoes or wearing old shoes for a sport
 

Risk Factors    TOP

Stress fractures are more common in women. Things that may raise the risk of this fracture are:

  • A sudden increase in activity
  • Not getting enough rest between physical activities
  • Playing sports that involve running and jumping, such as track and field, tennis, gymnastics, and basketball
  • Having female athlete triad
  • Bone disorders, such as osteoporosis and Paget disease
  • Low levels of vitamin D and calcium
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol use disorder
 

Symptoms    TOP

Symptoms may be:

  • Pain that is worse with activity and better with rest
  • Swelling
 

Diagnosis    TOP

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. They will also ask about regular activities. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may suspect a stress fracture based on symptoms. Images may be taken if pain is severe or fracture is not healing as expected. Tests may be:

  • X-rays
  • MRI scan
  • CT scan
  • Bone scan
 

Treatment    TOP

It can take 6 to 8 weeks for a stress fracture to heal. The goals of treatment are to manage pain and support the bone as it heals. Options may be:

  • Walking boot, crutches or a cane to keep weight off of a foot or leg stress fracture.
  • Limiting activity that is causing pain or stress.
  • Medicine to ease pain and swelling.
  • Exercises to help with muscle strength and range of motion will be needed.
 

Prevention    TOP

To lower the chance of a stress fracture:

  • Slowly increase the amount and intensity of activities over time.
  • Wear the right shoes for sports.
  • Eat a diet that contains foods with vitamin D and calcium.
RESOURCES:

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.orthoinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org

REFERENCES:

Femoral stress fracture. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/femoral-stress-fracture. Accessed September 30, 2020.

Stress fractures. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed September 30, 2020.

Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/stress-fractures-of-the-foot-and-ankle. Accessed September 30, 2020.

Tibial plateau fracture. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/tibial-plateau-fracture. Accessed September 30, 2020.

Welck MJ, Hayes T, et al. Stress fractures of the foot and ankle. Injury 2017 Aug;48(8):1722.



Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 9/8/2020

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy