A stress fracture in the bone of the foot left untreated can lead to a true foot fracture. That’s why early treatment is mandatory, says Dr. Adam Teichman, owner and founder of East Penn Foot & Ankle Associates in Allentown, Easton, and Reading, Pennsylvania. As a foot and ankle surgeon, he specializes in aspects of all foot disorders, and knows what to do to prevent a hairline stress fracture from worsening.
Stress fractures are tiny hairline breaks that can occur in the bone of the foot. They can be caused by overuse or over-training, by wearing improper shoewear, by a flat foot disorder or other foot deformities, especially osteoporosis.
People do not always realize that they have a stress fracture, or think it is a minor irritation which will go away on its own without treatment, which is where the danger lies. If left untreated, a stress fracture can lead to a complete break in the foot and the bone.
The most common symptoms associated with stress fractures are pain, swelling and bruising. Stress fractures can occur anywhere in the foot. A thorough clinical exam as well as x-rays are needed to correctly diagnose a stress fracture, and also possibly bone scans and MRIs.
Quick Treatment, Fast Recovery
The quicker the treatment of a stress fracture, the shorter the recovery time. Possible treatment includes RICE Therapy, or Rest, Ice, Compression and Immobilization of the affected foot. However, in some cases, surgery may be warranted to stabilize the fracture.
A stress fracture left untreated can lead to a true fracture in the foot, which can also be diagnosed by a plain x-ray. A podiatric foot and ankle surgeon can determine the best course of treatment for a foot fracture, and again the treatment for a foot fracture is similar to a stress fracture, with RICE Therapy and immobilization being standard, although surgery is sometimes warranted to repair the fracture if a gross displacement or malalignment is noted.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
I have a question Doctor. I am a 21 year old female. This past summer I trained for my first ever marathon. I have always done some light running (2-4 miles) but nothing that intense. Towards the end of my training I developed serious pain in the arches of my feet immediately after running… worse in my right foot. I went to a foot doctor to be on the safe side and sure enough I had a stress fracture. He recommended not running for risk of completely fracturing it and gave me a boot. I didn't wear the boot as long as he recommended (Im sorry, I know thats bad), but it felt better. Its been about 6 months now and when I am on my feet for to long, simply walking or working, I still have some pain. Would it be a bad idea to train for the half marathon this summer? I really want to, but I love being active and I don't want to do anything to risk messing my foot up forever!
Bella – April 5, 2010 , 8:31 AM
The best place to go to find out what you need to do is hurtheel.com. Dr. Slomowitz not only has all the information you need to set up an appointment with him, he also gives some very helpful tips on taking care of your feet between doctor visits.
webdesign1 – April 30, 2010 , 11:40 AM
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
pharmacy tech – May 4, 2010 , 11:37 PM