Are you experiencing an unexplained, sharp pain in a centralized location within your foot? If so, then you could be suffering from a stress fracture. The only way to know for sure is to see a podiatrist. The good news is that stress fractures are extremely common and completely treatable. By learning more about stress fractures and by scheduling an appointment with your local podiatrist, you can be well on your way to relief.
What Is a Stress Fracture?
Specifically, a stress fracture is a small crack that develops along one or more of the bones in the foot as a result of repetitive force. These fractures generally develop over time rather than all at once, and they can worsen if not properly treated. Typically, symptoms associated with a stress fracture include tenderness around the area, localized pain (especially when walking or putting pressure on the affected foot), and a tingling or pins-and-needles sensation.
Common Causes of Stress Fractures
Repetitive use is always the cause of a stress fracture, and many different activities can entail this kind of use. For example, runners are prone to stress fractures due to the amount of ongoing "wear and tear" their feet are subjected to -- especially for runners who are not wearing the proper shoes with adequate arch support. Those who work on their feet without proper arch support are also more likely to develop stress fractures.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Healing
Your podiatrist will physically assess the area, as well as order an X-ray of the affected foot to officially diagnose a stress fracture. Often, these fractures are so small that they cannot be detected via X-ray, so your doctor may need to base his or her diagnosis off of your symptoms and a physical evaluation alone.
Stress fractures almost always resolve themselves over time. To speed up the process, your podiatrist may instruct you to wear a protective "boot" over the affected foot that will immobilize most of the bones in the foot and allow for quicker healing. In the meantime, you should try to avoid further aggravating your injury by staying off your feet as much as possible.
Once your stress fracture is healed, and you get the thumbs up from your doctor to return to regular physical activity, prevent future stress fractures by making sure you're wearing supportive shoes and avoiding repetitive strain on the same foot. From there, you'll be back to your "normal" everyday activity in no time!
