Understanding Foot Stress Fractures
We are often unaware of how much we use certain parts of our bodies until we get hurt, especially when it comes to fractures. Due to our weight-bearing capacity in your feet, it’s even more likely to develop stress fractures. However, different from another bone break, these are tiny, often microscopic cracks that result from an array of causes. Though at times, they are even too small to see with the naked eye. However, these injuries can be painful and unpleasant.
Stress fractures of the feet are frequently occurring in athletes and other active individuals. This is often due to the repetitive motions used by those who participate in these activities. They can also occur in people with compromised skeletal tissue, such as those who suffer from osteoporosis. Ironically, stress fractures are also often seen in those with sedentary lifestyles who suddenly become active. Therefore, the longer you’re off your feet, the weaker your bones become.
When a stress fracture occurs, it means you’ve found the point after which load becomes too much for the bones in your foot to handle. In the time before the fracture itself, often there is swelling, foot pain, and redness around the site.
Where do Stress Fractures Occur?
Though stress fractures can occur anywhere, there are a few bones in particular which bear more load than others and therefore are more prone:
- The metatarsals. These are the long, thin bones that connect your toes to the upper middle part of your foot.
- The calcaneus bone. This bone is in your heel and accounts for nearly a quarter of all stress fractures.
- The navicular bone is a crescent-shaped bone near the top of the foot.
Children often experience an array of stress fracture locations. In fact, their bones still being in a state of growth. These bones are not only the ones mention above, but also the cuboid and talus bones. Both of which reside on the outer sides of the foot.
Treating a Stress Fracture
As always, the best treatment is prevention – keep active, but know your limits! If you begin to experience pain in any of these locations, be sure to take some time off and allow yourself to recuperate before getting back on the field.
If you are experiencing a stress fracture, call us for a foot specialist nearest you, 888-409-8006.