Many active people, like runners, can suffer from foot injuries. One very common (and very painful!) problem is a stress fracture in the foot. If left untreated, foot stress fractures can lead to serious complications, which are costly and difficult to manage. However, you can put your foot down on stress fractures— if diagnosed early on— for a happy, healthy road to recovery!
Let’s explore signs you may have broken your foot and what you can do to recover.
What To Know About Stress Fractures in Your Foot
What Is a Foot Stress Fracture?
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in your bone, and in the case of feet, can form almost anywhere, from your toes to your heel. In fact, even a stress fracture in the arch of your foot is common, especially if you have flat feet or high arches.
When your foot muscles become fatigued from overuse, they cannot absorb shock from impact. So the stress is transferred to your bones to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, excess weight or repetitive impact applied to one area of a bone can create fractures.
Foot Stress Fracture Symptoms
If you are experiencing gradual foot pain, you may have a stress fracture.
Common foot stress fracture symptoms include:
- Pain that increases gradually with activity.
- Tenderness that decreases with rest.
- Swelling around the area.
If you suspect you may have fractured your foot, consult a podiatrist right away. This is important because imaging, such as an x-ray, is usually needed to diagnose a stress fracture. Ignoring the pain and continuing activity can worsen the injury and even cause it to develop into a full broken bone.
Foot Stress Fracture Test
If you are a professional athlete who suffered a stress fracture in your foot and went through a recovery period, you may need to take a foot stress fracture test— also called a hop test— before you can be cleared to return to your sport.
Who Gets Stress Fractures?
Foot stress fractures are a common injury for runners, who often push their muscles past their limits and experience high-intensity, repetitive impact. For these people, it’s usually a slow-building issue that’s triggered by a sudden bout of pain.
Runners aren’t alone: those who do any sort of repetitive exercise or activity can suffer from this injury. For example, nurses, servers, and others who stand on their feet for hours a day are at risk of foot stress fractures.
The elderly are often sufferers, too, as their bone strength is worn with age, and they develop other foot problems that can complicate the issue.
Recovery Strategies for Stress Fractures in Your Feet
Foot Stress Fracture Healing Time
Once the fracture is confirmed, treatments vary depending on the location of the injury and its severity.
Most foot fractures heal by ceasing or dramatically reducing activity (or switching to low-impact exercise like swimming) for any time between two to eight weeks.
Podiatrist Recovery Strategies
A podiatrist will likely place your foot in a cast, walking boot, or stiff-soled shoe to reduce impact as the bone repairs itself. You may also need physical therapy and medication for a full recovery plan. If you don’t allow the stress fracture in your foot to heal properly, it can develop into deep cracks in the bone, which may, in some cases, require surgery to correct. Of course, the best treatment is prevention in the first place.
Preventing a Foot Stress Fracture
When undergoing activity, be sure to check your form, as poor technique can lead to overuse and cause stress fractures. Listen to your body as well. If fatigue is affecting your form, your muscles aren’t protecting your bones the way they should.
Also, be sure to make adjustments gradually so that you don’t gear up intensity rapidly and overstress your muscles.
Ensure you wear shoes that are properly fitted for your activity and not overly worn. Here are some more tips about shoes and shoe inserts for healthy feet.
Don’t Let the Stress Fracture in Your Foot Keep You Down
If you’re stressing about a possible stress fracture in your foot, don’t wait. Quick diagnosis and proper healing will get you back on your feet again faster, with less pain.
Our podiatrists understand that fractures and breaks often take priority over other foot problems, and we always try to make same-day appointments for those who think they may have a stress fracture.
Schedule an appointment with Foot & Ankle Group today.
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