5 signs of a stress fracture
Stress fractures are sneaky. Unlike a regular fracture, which wastes no time making itself known (the bone is broken immediately on impact), a stress fracture takes its time, developing gradually over a period of days.
Even then, it doesn’t reveal itself on X-rays. That’s how tiny and microscopic the break, or crack, in the bone is — compared with a regular fracture, which is more obvious on imaging tests.
Stress fractures occupy one end of the spectrum in a category of what experts call “stress-related injuries,” which happen when too much strain is placed on a particular part of the body. When that body part is the bone, the added stress can result in anything from a bruise to a small break, also known as a stress fracture.
Also see: The Difference Between a Sprain vs. Fracture
Who’s at risk of a stress fracture?
If you know a little about stress fractures — namely that they’re common among competitive athletes and people who serve in the military — you may think you’re in the clear. Turns out, people over age 50 are also at particular risk for stress fractures. The culprit: dwindling bone mass. As bone mass decreases, the chances of experiencing a stress fracture increase.
Research shows that the number of adults over 50 with low bone mass is expected to reach 71.2 million by 2030 (a 29 percent increase from 2010), and the number of fractures is expected to grow proportionally, according to a study published in the Journal of Biomedical Science.
Especially vulnerable groups include women and people with a low body mass index (BMI). Most stress fractures are 5 to 1 in women versus men. Women have a harder time than men because they have rapid bone loss after menopause.
Other risk factors for stress fractures include steroid use, smoking and nutritional deficits of calcium and vitamin D, as well as protein. In fact, a review of research published in 2019 in Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal suggests that protein intake above the recommended dietary allowance may reduce the risk of hip fractures and may help maintain bone density in older adults.
Also see: Causes of Fracture and Emergency Room Treatment
Warning signs of a stress fracture
Stress fractures can occur anywhere, but they commonly develop on weight-bearing bones such as the shin, heel and foot bones. Given the fact that these injuries almost universally result from an increase in activity, they can be misdiagnosed as a sprain or tendinitis, especially in areas like the foot in which many other overuse injuries to surrounding soft tissues — like tendons and ligaments — are seen.
Some telltale signs that a stress fracture is the cause of your pain:
- The pain starts and gets worse during physical activity.
- It persists even when you’ve stopped the offending activity.
- It’s more noticeable when you’re resting (a sign the injury has progressed to a more advanced stage).
- The affected area is swollen.
- The affected bone is tender to even the lightest touch.
stress fracture vs. fragility fracture
There’s a difference between stress fractures and fragility fractures. Stress fractures occur when normal bone is subjected to abnormal loads. For example, you’ve taken your exercise regimen from a zero to a 10 — overnight.
Fragility fractures, on the other hand occur when abnormal bone is subjected to normal loads. Fragility fractures are those typically thought of as falling and breaking a hip. They are more common in women because of age-related hormonal changes in the body, which affect the density of bone.
Also see: Bone Fractures: When to go to the ER
When to see a doctor
Another way stress fractures are sneaky: They don’t immediately show up on an X-ray. You’ll feel the pain, but you won’t see a change in X-rays for five to six weeks. A true stress fracture is a fracture that’s incomplete, which means the bone hasn’t cracked in half yet. It’s a tiny microscopic fracture of the bone, versus a large macroscopic fracture of the bone. That’s why you can’t see it on X-rays initially.
That’s not to suggest you should wait to see a doctor. After a week, if you still have pain and swelling, you should see your physician. If your doctor suspects a stress fracture but can’t see it on an X-ray, they may recommend a bone scan or MRI.
When it comes to treatment, the goal is to control the pain, give the bone time to heal, prevent complications (including a complete break) and restore normal use of the fractured area. Recovery usually takes six to eight weeks.
The good news that stress fractures almost universally heal on their own.
Remember, this blog provides general information and should not replace professional medical advice. If you’ve suffered a severe broken bone or fractures, it's advisable to seek professional help from your healthcare provider or call or visit our Nearest Emergency Room for medical help. We have board-certified physicians, nurses and staff to help you recover and give appropriate treatment and medical advice.
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