What is a stress fracture?
Stress fractures are a small crack in the bone that is caused from repetitive stress and trauma to the bone. In tibial (shin) stress fractures, this can be either impact-related trauma or from excessive muscle strain at its attachment to the bone. Running (short and long distances) and sports involving jumping and kicking are common contributing activities.
Stress fracture symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Slight ache after activity (This usually occurs at the beginning)
- Constant pain during and after activity
- Hot burning feeling
- Sharpness
- Localised tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Heat
Causes of stress fractures
There are many causes of stress fractures, some of these include:
- Running (short and long distance)
- Inclined running
- Running on hard or uneven terrain
- Pronation or “flat feet”
- Supination or “high-arched feet”
- Biomechanical abnormality
- Shin splints
- Repeated trauma
- Trigger points
- Peroneal tendonitis
- Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
- Anterior Tibial Tendonitis
- Footwear
At Stirling Central Podiatry we have mastered advanced techniques that help us identify, diagnose and treat stress fractures and its associated complications effectively with a high success rate. We have a range of treatments available to help relieve and prevent such conditions and improve your quality of life. At Stirling Central Podiatry, we often use adjunct therapies to offer the most effective form of treatment. Depending on your requirements, we will customise a treatment suitable to your needs. Please call us at Stirling Central Podiatry to organise an appointment for an assessment, diagnosis and treatment.