Stress fractures are small breaks in the bones induced by repeated shocks (hence the name “stress fractures”). Consider it like any other man-made structure, such as a bridge or a skyscraper. Small but consistent impact forces can “eat away” at a structure, weakening it over time. The structure may eventually fall apart completely.
Your feet aren’t that dissimilar. Stress fractures can develop from even minor damage that occurs repeatedly over time, causing discomfort and edema. Orthotic treatments, on the other hand, can help lessen the severity of stress fractures and speed up bone recovery. This article will look at how they can assist you.
Causes of Stress Fracture
Your feet’s bones can withstand a great deal of weight and pressure. Consider Olympic competitors who land on their feet frequently or hard, such as gymnasts, runners, and jumpers. They do so deftly and without causing harm.
Of course, they must gain that strength over time, and this helps us understand how stress fractures develop.
They happen when someone quickly raises the volume or intensity of a workout. Bones, like muscles, naturally adjust to increasingly higher loads through a process known as remodelling.
In essence, a slightly heavier than normal load enables damaged bone tissue to regrow stronger. That’s why, after months or years of practice, you can lift weights or leap with a power that would have previously damaged you.
Stress fractures occur when bones are subjected to too much weight or strain before they are capable of handling it. There is, however, a distinction between the forces that create a stress fracture and those that cause a normal fracture.
Stress fractures are caused by loads that are mild enough for you to do without feeling strained, yet big enough to inflict damage that your bones can’t keep up with. As a result, some persons are more susceptible to stress fractures than others.
Stress Fractures: Risk Factors
Certain activities and exercises – High-impact sports that require a lot of leaping and running, especially for athletes who aren’t well-conditioned, can put athletes at risk for stress fractures. Basketball, track and field, gymnastics, dancing, and tennis are among these sports. Stress fractures can also occur in sedentary adults who begin an aggressive fitness regimen too soon.
Stress fractures are more likely to occur in women who have irregular or missing menstrual cycles. Hormonal abnormalities that impact their menstrual cycles also affect their bone density, putting these women at a higher risk.
Stress fractures are more likely in those who are low in minerals or vitamins that help the body produce healthy bones. Calcium and vitamin D are particularly well-known for their role in stress fractures and other bone ailments.
Stress fractures are more likely to occur in those who have bone abnormalities such as osteoporosis or who have foot difficulties. People who have flat feet or high arches are also more susceptible to develop stress fractures.
Previous stress fractures – If someone has had a stress fracture in the past, especially recently, they are more likely to have another in the future. If a previous stress fracture hasn’t entirely healed, the risk is increased.
Symptoms of a Stress Fracture
The fascinating thing about stress fractures is that they are almost imperceptible at first. That, however, does not last indefinitely. The discomfort usually becomes obvious without treatment or a change in behavior. Tenderness at the site of the stress fracture may be felt by the sufferer. This discomfort usually becomes worse with activity and gets better with rest, and there may be swelling in the area.
Treatment of Stress Fractures with Orthotics
A doctor will send you in for diagnostic imaging if they feel you have a stress fracture. Because they can quickly distinguish between stress fractures and soft tissue injuries, MRIs are one of the more effective diagnostic imaging modalities. X-rays are also useful, although they can only detect stress fractures that have been present for several weeks.
As a result, an x-ray taken soon after your pain may not reveal any signs of a stress fracture. Bone scans are also used by doctors to diagnose stress fractures, but the results might be contradictory.
Your doctor will prescribe treatments to help you manage a stress fracture once you’ve been diagnosed. The goal of treatment is to reduce weight-bearing loads on the foot. A walking boot or brace is frequently prescribed by doctors. Surgery may be required in severe situations.
Custom orthotics may also be beneficial. They do so by correcting improper limb motions that cause or exacerbate stress fractures. They also assist in cushioning the foot and redistributing uneven weight and load. Every time the foot lands on the ground, the pressure is relieved. Stress fractures will heal over time with less repetitive weight on the foot. It usually takes 6-8 weeks for this to happen.
Stress Fractures can be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
You can’t completely avoid stress fractures, but you can greatly minimize your chances of developing one. It’s critical to gradually increase the number and intensity of your activities if you’re a physically active individual. Your feet (and other bones and muscles) will be able to adapt to the loads you apply on them as a result of this.
It’s also critical to have enough rest and recovery after each workout. Wearing custom orthotics before you show signs of a stress fracture is also a good idea. Custom orthotics, as previously stated, can minimize the pressure of weight-bearing movements on the foot, resulting in reduced structural damage. You can achieve your personal bests without the pain of stress fractures if you follow these guidelines.
Do you need assistance finding orthotic solutions to treat or prevent foot injuries? Please contact us so that we can assist you with getting started.