Signs You Have a Stress Fracture in the Foot or Ankle
Stress fractures are a small, hairline crack in the bone. Sometimes they also manifest as bruising within the bone. The majority of stress fractures are caused by overuse through repetitive activity.
If left undiagnosed or untreated, the stress fracture will often turn into a complete fracture of the bone.
Stress Fracture Warning Signs
Stress fractures in the foot and ankle are common in running sports. They can develop in anyone from soccer players to distance runners.
In the foot, a stress fracture is likely to develop in the metatarsal bones. These are the bones in the forefoot that connect your toe bones to the base of the foot. Because the metatarsal is longer than the other bones in the foot, it absorbs the most stress when pushing off the ground.
Comparatively, the majority of ankle stress fractures occur in the shin bone, accounting for about 20-75% of all stress fractures.
No matter where your stress fracture is located, the symptoms are always the same. They include any or all of the following at the site of the fracture:
Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Tenderness
These symptoms will often begin gradually, appearing with activity. As the fracture condition worsens, the pain will occur during normal activities and even while at rest.
Treating a Stress Fracture of the Foot or Ankle
At his practice with Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Elton and his team will diagnose the severity of your stress fracture through the following methods:
Conversation: Dr. Elton will ask about your lifestyle, when your symptoms began, and how they progressed.
Physical Exam: Dr. Elton and his team will examine the site of your pain. The exam will determine the amount of swelling present and the extent your symptoms are impacting your range of motion.
Imaging Tests: MRIs and X-rays can help pinpoint the location of the stress fracture and determine if the bone has already begun healing.
While most stress fractures will heal on their own, they do require treatment. If untreated, the stress fracture could worsen or heal improperly — causing further orthopeadic damage down the line.
Dr. Elton always designs his treatment plans with your lifestyle in mind. Some recommendations could include:
Activity modification, such as resting for a few weeks or switching to non-impact activities
Icing the area
Anti-inflammatory medications
Elevating your leg throughout the day
Protective footwear
Bracing
Crutches to keep weight off the damaged bone
Very few stress fractures require surgery. This usually involved inserting hardware to support the bone, holding it in a fixed position.
Contact Team Elton, Vail’s Top Foot and Ankle Physician
Dr. Elton and his team are known throughout the High Rockies for their commitment, compassion, and orthopaedic skill. If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain related to a stress fracture, contact Team Elton today.
Schedule your consultation by calling (970) 476-7220 or by submitting a request via our online appointment form.