A fracture is an injury that almost everyone experiences during their lifetime. However, the definition of “stress fracture” sounds somewhat obscure. Such damage is of a different nature and requires a more thorough diagnosis, and the causes of such a fracture are different.
Fracture characteristics
By its nature, bone tissue has the ability to regenerate, self-healing. But there are cases when the same load methodically affects the bone, which leads to stress fractures. Such injuries have another name - fatigue fractures.
Such injuries occur against the background of the fact that the bone tissue does not have time to recover and cracks form. Most often, the supporting joints of the body suffer from them, especially the bones of the legs and feet.
The greater the constant physical activity, the higher the risk of getting a stress fracture. As noted above, such an injury is a crack in the bones that can heal on its own over time. However, there are cases when the bone breaks completely, which leads to a normal fracture and may require surgical intervention. Much depends on the general condition of the bone tissue.
The reasons for the appearance of such fractures
Medical statistics suggest that such damage appears both from external effects on the body, and from internal chronic diseases.
The main causes of stress fractures:
- Excessive physical activity, with which the supporting bones can not cope.
- Heavy workouts that are carried out without proper training.
- Wrong clothes and shoes for regular sports training.
- Failure in a stable hormonal background.
- Incorrect exercise technique (incorrect positioning of the leg leads to stress fracture of the foot).
- When performing physical exertion, a sharp change in sex increases the risk of injury.
- Lack of or poor absorption of vitamin D.
- Chronic osteoporosis.
- The absence of menstruation for three or more months in women.
Despite the ability to repair, bone tissue can wear out under the influence of constant loads.
Who is at increased risk?
It is customary to distinguish certain groups of people who are in the so-called risk groups.
Stress fractures are most often found in:
- Professional athletes.
- People undergoing active military combat training.
- Women with menstrual irregularities.
- Patients with osteoporosis.
- People whose age exceeds 40 years.
- People with a certain type of skin that impair the absorption of vitamin D.
- People with flat feet.
- People who have one leg shorter than the other, which leads to the wrong walking technique.
These groups of people should be aware that the risk of getting an unwanted injury is increased and that competent prevention and support of the body are required.
So, for example, experts note that a stress fracture of the metatarsal foot bone is the most common for heavyweight athletes. It is these joints that account for the majority of the load when performing exercises.
Main symptoms
Unlike conventional fractures resulting from external traumatic factors, stress fractures have different symptoms. In rare cases, they will be accompanied by sharp pain, which is considered the main sign of a broken bone.
The clinical picture of a stress fracture:
- Pain sensations intensify with additional pressure on the injured bone, but are not felt at rest. With a stress fracture of the foot, pain will be felt during walking.
- Edema in the area where the damage occurred will be significantly less than with a conventional bone fracture.
- Bruising (hematoma) in the area of damage is possible.
- Symptoms are most pronounced upon palpation, which should be the reason for going to the doctor.
Stress fractures of the legs are considered the most common, based on medical statistics. The feet account for a large part of the load, both in ordinary life and when performing physical exercises.
Often, having received a similar injury, a person is in no hurry to consult a doctor, attributing the symptoms to more minor injuries. Such actions lead to the fact that the pain passes into the category of chronic (constant).
Over time, an untreated fatigue fracture can lead to a real bone fracture and the development of other undesirable consequences that can seriously limit a person's movements.
Doctors pay attention that, for example, a stress fracture of the clavicle will be characterized by pain throughout the arm, and this further complicates the determination of the main lesion site.
Diagnosis and treatment
For a correct and timely diagnosis, you must be vigilant about your own health. In case of sudden pain, which was not preceded by any additional loads or injuries, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.
When contacting a traumatologist, you need to be ready to undergo additional examinations:
- Roentgenography. The image will allow more accurate determination of the presence of a crack in the bone.
- MRI Magnetic resonance therapy is used in cases where it is difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis using x-rays.
The correct diagnosis largely depends on the area in which a stress fracture may have formed. In some cases, the traumatologist may resort to physical tests and ask the patient to perform some exercises. Such actions also apply to diagnostic methods.
If during the examination the presence of a fatigue fracture is established, then the patient is casted and gypsum is prescribed. The duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the fracture.
Drug support for treatment depends on the condition of the patient. Analgesics are necessary only if pain is constantly disturbing, otherwise it is not necessary.
After removing the plaster cast, the patient undergoes a rehabilitation course in order to accurately and competently develop a damaged limb. It is best to perform all exercises under the supervision of a specialist.
Consequences and Prevention
The consequences of a stress fracture can be different, a lot in this matter depends on the general condition of the patient’s bone tissue. If the damage is diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is started, then only preventative measures will be necessary during healing.
In some cases, a stress fracture of the foot requires further wearing of orthopedic shoes. Often you have to change the diet and reduce the intensity of physical activity.
As preventive measures that will support the body and help to avoid weakening of bone tissue, it is recommended:
- Alternation of various types of physical activity.
- Dietary adjustment, the addition of products containing vitamin D.
- When playing sports, carefully select the form and equipment.
- Avoid sudden physical exertion, increase them gradually.
Most fatigue fractures can be cured without any consequences. To return to the previous activity, you must additionally consult with your doctor.