Stress fracture overview
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Stress fracture Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Stress fracture overview On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A stress fracture is one type of incomplete fracture in bones. It is caused by "unusual or repeated stress"[1] This is in contrast to other types of fractures, which are usually characterized by a solitary, severe impact.
It could be described as a very small sliver or crack in the bone; this is why it is sometimes dubbed "hairline fracture". It typically occurs in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia (bone of the lower leg) and metatarsals (bones of the foot).
It is a common sports injury, and more than half of the cases are associated with athletics.[2]
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Stress fractures usually have a narrow list of symptoms. It could present as a generalized area of pain, tenderness, and pain with weight-bearing. Usually when running, a stress fracture has severe pain in the beginning of the run, moderate pain in the middle of the run, and severe pain at the end and after the run.
References
- ↑ Template:Dorlands
- ↑ "Common Stress Fractures - October 15, 2003 - American Family Physician". Retrieved 2007-12-23.