Stress fractures are thin, tiny cracks in a bone. They occur when a bone is unable to bear the load or stress placed on it. Your bones, like any other part of your body, are living tissues that are constantly rebuilding and repairing themselves in response to the loads placed on them. These processes are what allow bones to heal following an injury, and to grow stronger or weaker depending on the demands of your daily life. When the load placed on a bone is greater than the bone’s ability to adapt to that load, the bone can crack. This is often preceded by swelling in the affected area. The foot bones that are most likely to sustain a stress fracture are the metatarsal bones, the heel bone, and navicular bone. If you suspect that you may have a stress fracture in your foot, please seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible. 

Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact Neeta Hasmukh, DPM from Total Podiatry. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use.  The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.

What Are Stress Fractures?

Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:

• Runners                                  
• People affected with Osteoporosis
• Tennis or basketball players
• Gymnasts
• High impact workouts

Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in San Antonio, Uvalde, and Jourdanton, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.