A stress Fracture is normally an overuse type of bone injury, which produces a crack in a bone that is caused due to the increased stress. That stress may be either abnormal amount of repetitive stress to a normal bone, or usual amount of stress to a weak bone. This would put extra stress on a part of the ankle or foot resulting in stress fracture or mall crack.
Bones fracture, or break, in two setting that is with a moderate or small amount of force is repeatedly applied over a specific bone, or it may be with a significant amount of stress or force applied on a bone. The 1st type is called as “stress fracture”, while the 2nd type is called as “traumatic fracture”. Mostly, the bones would break but they do not reposition.
Causes of stress fractures:
Usually stress fractures occur whenever you increase your activity by:
· Duration: that is how much time you exercise.
· Frequency: that is how frequently you exercise.
· Intensity: That is your exertion level.
The people who are away from exercise may also have stress fractures of ankle or foot. If you are suffering from other diseases which would weakened your bones such as osteoporosis, normal daily activities of you may also result in stress fracture. It is called as bone insufficiency. This is one of the main factors that would increase the risk for fracture.
People with normal bones may also prone to get the stress fracture due to their repetitive activity. This is specifically the case with sports persons who participate in basketball, tennis, track and field, or gymnastics.
The ankle and foot are the most common parts to get the stress fracture because constantly we are on our feet. This can occur in people due to the heavy impact on the feet, including heavy running and walking. They may also occur due to the quick increase in the amount of a particular activity. Shoes, which provide less support, like high heels, which places more pressure on the foot toes, and stiff, old shoes may throw a person in to risk. Totally, people with discomfort in foot can develop this fracture.
Symptoms:
Metatarsal fractures initially result as simple pain over the top of the ankle or foot. Sometimes it may also occur with swelling, but not always. Usually it is worse during activity or after activity, which require bending of foot. It is common for some patients to declare that they have no memory of injury.
Treatment:
First Aid: If you experience a stress fracture in your ankle or foot, stop all activities and take rest. Apply ice packs and elevate the foot above the level of heart. Do not put over weight on your foot or ankle until you meet a doctor.
After doing this, you should consult an orthopedic doctor to seek further treatment that treatment may be non-surgical or surgical, that depends on the severity of your injury.