Stress fractures are injuries that can start out minimal and gradually become more painful and more debilitating. If you have noticed pain on the top of your foot, you may be wondering if it is in fact a stress fracture.
What Is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a type of overuse injury. This means that it occurs when muscles become fatigued and are no longer able to absorb added shock. At a certain point, the fatigued muscle then transfers the overload of stress to the bone, which causes a tiny crack. It is this crack that is considered the stress fracture.
What Causes a Stress Fracture?
Typically, stress fractures are the result of increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly. For example, a situation that may cause a stress fracture would be going from running one mile per day to ten miles per day without adequately building up to it. They may also be caused by the impact of an unfamiliar surface. An example of this would be a tennis player who switches from a soft clay court to a hard court. Another reason stress fractures may happen would be using improper equipment such as shoes, and increased physical stress such as a substantial increase in playing time. Due to the nature of these injuries, they are most commonly seen in athletes, especially long distance runners. However, they can also happen to people performing everyday activities if their bones are weak because of poor nutrition or a medical condition.
Where Do Stress Fractures Occur?
Most stress fractures occur in the weight bearing bones of the lower leg and foot as the result of impact and weight-bearing activities. In fact, over 50% of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg. Stress fractures also occur frequently in the foot, which is made up of several small bones. The bones that run to the toes are called metatarsals. Stress fractures in the foot most commonly happen in the second and third metatarsals.
What Are the Signs of a Stress Fracture in Your Foot?
Are you wondering if you are experiencing signs of a stress fracture in your foot? If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be a sign of a stress fracture in your foot.
- Aching or pain on the top of the foot
- Tenderness or “pinpoint pain” when the bone is touched
- Pain that starts shortly after you begin an activity and then goes away when resting
- Pain that occurs while performing an activity that does not go away after you finish the activity
- Pain that occurs while you are at rest, during normal activity, or with your everyday walking
- Inability to shift weight on that leg or foot
- Swelling on the top of the foot
- Bruising at the injured site, making it look purple or blue
In the early stages of a stress fracture in your foot, the pain may not be very severe. If the stress fracture does not get treated, the pain can quickly become severe. At this point, there is also a risk that the fracture could become displaced. This means that the fractured bone moves out of normal alignment, which would cause even further pain and discomfort.
How Are Stress Fractures Diagnosed?
Sometimes, a doctor can diagnose a stress fracture from a medical history and a physical exam alone. But typically, imaging tests are needed. While X-rays and bone scans can be used, MRIs are the most effective test to diagnose a stress fracture. This type of imaging is able to show lower grade injuries before it would show up on an X-ray. In addition, this type of test is able to better distinguish between a stress fracture and a soft tissue injury.
How Are Stress Fractures Treated?
First off, stress fractures are injuries that do need to be treated. You cannot simply ignore them and hope that they go away. You should begin home treatment as soon as you notice signs of a stress fracture in your foot. The first thing you should do is rest. Stop participating in any activities that you believe may be contributing to this injury. Next, you should schedule an appointment to see a doctor. Then, it is very important that you follow the treatment guidelines they give you. If the fracture is not treated, it is very possible that it gets worse. It could also heal improperly, which may lead to arthritis or the need for surgery in the future.
How Can You Prevent Stress Fractures?
There are some simple things you can do to prevent a stress fracture from happening:
- Stop exercising once you feel pain and only return to exercise if you are pain-free
- Contact your doctor as soon as possible if there is a persistent area of concern or discomfort
- Use the correct sports equipment like the proper footwear. For example, running shoes should be replaced every 300 miles
- Add new physical activities. For example, you could switch out your usual running routine for swimming instead
- When starting new activities, begin slowly and gradually increase the time, speed, and distance. A good rule of thumb is that you should not increase your speed, time, or distance by more than 10% per week
- Properly warm up and cool down before activities
- Practice strength training to prevent early muscle fatigue and to also help prevent the loss of bone density that is typical with aging.
What to Do If You Have a Stress Fracture
As stated earlier, if you notice signs of a stress fracture in your foot like swelling on the top of your foot, you should start conservative treatment and then contact a doctor. The Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois are ready and able to help you take care of this condition so that it doesn’t get worse. The earlier you make an appointment to see us, the earlier we can begin helping you find relief. If you are in the Algonquin area and are experiencing any symptoms, come see us right away.
