Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone that usually happens from overuse. Putting repetitive strain on bones can break them down. Resting gives bones a chance to rebuild, the way muscles do.
But when someone increases the amount of strain — as can happen when running farther or starting a new sport — sometimes the body can't keep up. The bones can't handle the added stress, and they start to develop tiny fractures called "microfractures." These can lead to stress fractures.
Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, especially for track and field athletes, gymnasts, dancers, tennis players, and basketball players. Stress fractures aren't just a problem for active people, though. They also affect people with weak bones or nutritional deficiencies, and can happen in the foot, leg, spine, arm, ribs, and other bony locations.
Doctors consider stress fractures "low risk" or "high risk" depending on where they are on the body. Someone with a fracture that is "high risk" has a greater chance of developing complications — like the fracture doesn't heal well or leads to more fractures. Low-risk stress fractures do not usually lead to complications.
Low-risk fractures usually happen in the upper parts of the body, like the ribs or arm bone, although some fractures in the foot can also be low risk. High-risk fractures are usually in the thigh bone (femur), kneecap, certain foot bones, and parts of the spine.Playing for the varsity basketball team was much tougher than Amy thought. The coach held long practices with lots of conditioning drills, and Amy would go home exhausted. Even worse, her right foot ached during and after every practice, though it seemed to get better when she rested afterward.
Amy's foot never seemed to heal completely, though. In fact, the pain got worse, beginning earlier each practice and lingering even after she rested. Finally, she went to see a doctor, who ordered an X-ray and told Amy she had a stress fracture in her foot.
But when someone increases the amount of strain — as can happen when running farther or starting a new sport — sometimes the body can't keep up. The bones can't handle the added stress, and they start to develop tiny fractures called "microfractures." These can lead to stress fractures.
Stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in sports, especially for track and field athletes, gymnasts, dancers, tennis players, and basketball players. Stress fractures aren't just a problem for active people, though. They also affect people with weak bones or nutritional deficiencies, and can happen in the foot, leg, spine, arm, ribs, and other bony locations.
Doctors consider stress fractures "low risk" or "high risk" depending on where they are on the body. Someone with a fracture that is "high risk" has a greater chance of developing complications — like the fracture doesn't heal well or leads to more fractures. Low-risk stress fractures do not usually lead to complications.
Low-risk fractures usually happen in the upper parts of the body, like the ribs or arm bone, although some fractures in the foot can also be low risk. High-risk fractures are usually in the thigh bone (femur), kneecap, certain foot bones, and parts of the spine.Playing for the varsity basketball team was much tougher than Amy thought. The coach held long practices with lots of conditioning drills, and Amy would go home exhausted. Even worse, her right foot ached during and after every practice, though it seemed to get better when she rested afterward.
Amy's foot never seemed to heal completely, though. In fact, the pain got worse, beginning earlier each practice and lingering even after she rested. Finally, she went to see a doctor, who ordered an X-ray and told Amy she had a stress fracture in her foot.
Stress Fractures
Stress Fractures
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