
If pain or swelling returns, stop the activity.Gradually increase time, speed and distance a 10 percent increase per week is fine. Slowly increase any new sports activity.For example, you can alternate jogging with swimming or cycling. Use the proper equipment for your sport.Eat calcium-rich foods to help build bone strength. Preventing Stress Fracturesīecause stress fractures that don't heal properly can develop into complete breaks of the bone and can become a chronic problem, it's better to prevent them in the first place. In some cases, you may need surgery so that the orthopaedist can insert a screw in the bone to ensure proper healing. Your orthopaedist may apply a cast to your foot or recommend that you use crutches until the bone heals. Stress fractures in the fifth metatarsal bone (on the outer side of the foot) or in the navicular or talus bones take longer to heal, perhaps as long as six to eight weeks. Swimming and bicycle riding are good alternative activities. Athletes should switch to a sport that puts less stress on the foot and leg. Your orthopaedist may recommend that you wear a stiff-soled shoe, a wooden-soled sandal, or a removable short leg fracture brace shoe. Most stress fractures will heal if you reduce your level of activity and wear protective footwear for two to four weeks. Treatment will depend on the location of the stress fracture. Your orthopaedist may recommend an MRI or a bone scan, which is more sensitive than an X-ray and can detect stress fractures early. Stress fractures are difficult to see on X-rays until they've actually started to heal. Try not to put weight on the foot until after you see a doctor. Apply an ice pack and elevate the foot above the level of your heart.

Ignoring the pain can have serious consequences, and the bone may break completely. If you suspect a stress fracture in your foot or ankle, stop the activity and rest the foot. Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture.Swelling on the top of the foot or the outside ankle.Pain that develops gradually, increases with weight-bearing activity, and diminishes with rest.Female athletes who experience irregular or absent menstrual periods may also have decreased bone density and an increased risk of stress fractures. Conditions such as osteoporosis reduce the density and quality of bone matter, thus increasing the risk of fracture. Insufficiency stress fractures result when the bone itself is weak. Some conditions, such as flatfoot or bunions, can change the mechanics of your foot and make stress fractures more likely to develop. Errors in training or technique are another cause of stress fractures. A change of surface, such as going from a grass tennis court to one of clay or from an indoor to an outdoor running track, can increase the risk of stress fractures. Improper sports equipment, such as shoes that are too worn or stiff, also can contribute to stress fractures. The result could be stress fractures in the foot and ankle. Instead of starting slowly, they try to match their previous mileage. Runner who have been confined indoors for most of the winter may want to pick up where they left off at the end of the previous season.

#Stress fracture in foot symptoms crack
When this happens, the muscles transfer the stress to the bones, creating a small crack or fracture. These tiny cracks in your bones develop when your muscles become overtired (fatigued) and can no longer absorb the shock of repeated impacts.

Stress fractures are a type of overuse injury.
