Archive for category Stress Fractures 101

Stress fractures are a very common sports injury, especially in repetitive motion sports such as running, tennis, and gymnastics to name a few. The constant striking of the foot on the ground in all these sports can eventually lead to bone trauma, which can become a stress fracture.

Stress fractures are an overuse injury that happens when your muscles become so fatigued that the actual bone takes on the stress and work load that your muscles should be taking. This results in tiny, hairlike cracks in the bone called stress fractures. More than 50 percent of reported stress fractures occur in the lower leg and the foot. Studies also report that women are more susceptible to stress fractures.

Most stress fractures happen over the span of time, but can be instantly brought out or exposed by one of the following scenarios:

1. Stress fractures can be brought on by a sudden change in the intensity or the amount of time spent doing your sport/workout.

2. Stress fractures can be brought on by a new change in the environment or surface your sport/workout is performed on. For example, someone who runs on the treadmill all the time may experience a stress fracture when they run outside on the cement for the first time.

3. Stress fractures can also be brought on by a change in shoe shape or support. An old shoe that is worn out could lead to a stress fracture. Or transitioning from a highly supportive shoe to a less supportive shoe too quickly could cause a stress fracture. Continue reading “Stress Fractures 101” »