A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone.
Stress fractures usually happen from repeating the same movement over and over (such as when someone trains for a sport). They also can happen from everyday activities in people whose bones are weak due to poor nutrition or a medical condition.
If you have a stress fracture, you might notice:
The lower leg and the foot are the most common areas to get a stress fracture. But they also can happen in other areas, such as the arm, spine, or ribs.
To diagnose a stress fracture, your health care provider will first ask about your general health and activities (such as sports). Then he or she will do an exam to check for tenderness, swelling, or redness. X-rays are usually done.
Some stress fractures don't show up on an X-ray until a few weeks after the bone starts hurting. Sometimes an MRI scan or a bone scan is needed.
The most important parts of recovering from a stress fracture are:
Sometimes a stress fracture will need a cast, splint, or brace. Rarely, surgery is needed.
If you have pain from a stress fracture, you can:
Nutritional or psychological counseling can help if a stress fracture happens because of poor nutrition or an eating disorder.
Ask the health care provider if you can exercise a part of the body that does not have the stress fracture. For example, if you have a stress fracture in your foot, you might be able to do arm and shoulder exercises. This can help you stay active during healing.
After a few weeks, your health care provider may give you the OK to slowly start to increase activity. The provider may recommend physical therapy to help you safely return to sports.
To help prevent stress fractures:
If you're very active or play sports:
If found early and treated correctly, most stress fractures heal well. But going back to activities too soon can make a tiny stress fracture larger and harder to heal.
Follow the doctor's directions so that you can get back to activities and sports as soon as possible.
Reviewed by: Richard W. Kruse, DO, Susan M. Dubowy, PA-C
Date Reviewed: Jun 7, 2018