Fracture is an injury that almost everyone faces during their lives. However, the definition of "stress fracture" sounds somewhat confusing. 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-heal. 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, they affect the supporting joints of the body, primarily the bones of the legs and feet.
The more constant physical activity, the higher the risk of getting a stress fracture of the bone. As noted above, such an injury is a crack in the bones, which over time can heal on its own. However, there are cases when the bone breaks completely, which leads alreadyto a normal fracture and may require surgery. Much depends on the general condition of the bone tissue.
The causes of such fractures
Medical statistics show that such damage appears both from external influences on the body and from internal chronic diseases.
Main causes of stress fractures:
- Excessive exercise that the supporting bones can't handle.
- Hard workouts that are done without proper preparation.
- Wrongly matched clothes and shoes for regular sports training.
- Failure in a stable hormonal background.
- Incorrect exercise technique (incorrect foot placement leads to a stress fracture of the foot).
- When exercising, abruptly changing floors increases the risk of injury.
- Lack or poor absorption of vitamin D.
- Chronic osteoporosis.
- Absence of menstruation for three or more months in women.
Despite the ability to recover, bone tissue can wear out under the influence of constant stress.
Who is at increased risk?
It is customary to single out certain groups of people who are in the so-called risk groups.
Stress fractures are most common in:
- Professional athletes.
- People passing active military drillpreparation.
- Women with menstrual irregularities.
- Osteoporosis patients.
- People over 40.
- People with a certain skin type that impairs vitamin D absorption.
- People with flat feet.
- People who have one leg shorter than the other, resulting in poor walking technique.
The listed groups of people should be aware that they have an increased risk of unwanted injury and require competent prevention and body support.
For example, experts note that a stress fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is the most common for heavyweight athletes. It is these joints that account for most of the load during exercise.
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 symptom of a broken bone.
Clinical presentation of a stress fracture:
- Pain increases with additional pressure on the injured bone, but is not felt at rest. With a stress fracture of the foot, pain will be felt while walking.
- Swelling in the area where the injury has occurred will be significantly less than with a normal bone fracture.
- Possible bruising (hematoma) in the area of injury.
- The symptoms are most pronounced on palpation,what 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 take up most of the load both in everyday life and when doing physical exercises.
Often, having received such an injury, a person is in no hurry to see a doctor, attributing the symptoms to lighter injuries. Such actions lead to the fact that the pain becomes chronic (permanent).
Over time, an unhealed stress fracture can lead to actual bone fracture and other undesirable consequences that can severely restrict a person's movement.
Doctors note that, for example, a stress fracture of the collarbone will be characterized by pain throughout the arm, and this further makes it difficult to determine the main focus of damage.
Diagnosis and treatment
For a correct and timely diagnosis, you must be vigilant about your own he alth. In case of sudden pain, which was not preceded by any additional stress or injury, you should consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.
When contacting a traumatologist, you need to be prepared to undergo additional examinations:
- X-ray. The image will allow you to more accurately determine 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.
Proper diagnosis depends largely on the area where the stress fracture may have occurred. 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 put in a cast and prescribed complete rest. The duration of treatment depends on the complexity of the fracture.
Medical support of treatment depends on the patient's condition. Analgesics are needed only if the pain is constant, otherwise it is not necessary.
After removing the plaster bandage, the patient undergoes a rehabilitation course in order to carefully and competently develop the injured 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, much in this matter depends on the general condition of the patient's bone tissue. If damage is diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is started, then only preventive measures will be needed during healing.
In some cases, a stress fracture of the foot requires the continued wearing of orthopedic shoes. Often you have to change the diet and reduce the intensity of physical activity.
As a preventive measure that will support the body and help avoid weakening of bone tissue, it is recommended:
- Alternating different typesphysical activity.
- Correction of the diet, adding foods containing vitamin D.
- When playing sports, carefully select uniforms and equipment.
- Do not allow sudden physical exertion, increase them gradually.
Most stress fractures heal without any sequelae. To return to your previous activity, you must additionally consult with your doctor.
