Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in bone caused by repetitive force, most often in the shin, foot, or hip in runners and athletes. They start as a vague ache that worsens with activity and lingers afterward. Caught early, they heal in 6–8 weeks with relative rest, load management, and physiotherapy guidance. Caught late, they can become full fractures.

What Stress Fractures feels like

• Pain with activity is the most common complaint with a stress fracture
• Pain that develops gradually, increases with weight-bearing activity, and diminishes with rest
• Swelling on the top of the foot or the outside of the ankle
• Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture
• Possible bruising
• Decreased swelling and pain with rest
• Earlier onset of pain with each successive workout
• Continued pain at rest as the damage progresses

Common causes of Stress Fractures

• Most stress fractures occur in the weight bearing bones of the lower leg and the foot. More than 50 percent of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg
• Repetitive application of a greater amount of force than the bones of the feet and lower legs normally bear
• Muscle fatigue can also play a role in the occurrence of stress fractures
• People with weak bones or nutritional deficiencies and can happen in the foot, leg, spine, arm, ribs, and other bony locations
• Previous stress fractures
• Increasing the frequency, intensity or length of workouts, such as adding miles to a running regimen or practicing a sport more than normally accustomed to
• Wearing worn-out shoes, shoes that don’t fit well, or shoes that aren’t designed for the activity
• Stress fractures seem to be more common in women, especially in women who do not have regular menstrual cycles
• Acute event, such as a car crash or a fall

How we treat Stress Fractures at Physio Wellness

There is no single fix for stress fractures, recovery comes from combining the right treatments for your specific situation. Your physiotherapist will assess your case in detail and recommend a plan from these proven approaches:

• Physiotherapy, Hands-on assessment and a custom exercise plan to address the root cause, not just the pain. Learn more

When to come in

Book a consultation if your symptoms have lasted more than a week, are getting worse, or are interfering with sleep, work, or daily activities. We offer same-week appointments and direct bill most insurers.