If you are an athlete or someone who leads an active lifestyle, getting hurt while participating in physical activity is always a risk. Even if you follow all the safety requirements and are aware of your surroundings, accidents happen! In addition to immediate injuries like fractures, sprains or strains, injuries like stress fractures are also a possibility.

If you are experiencing any sort of pain in your legs or feet while exercising, stop the activity right away and come see us at AFC Urgent Care Powdersville. We can help diagnose your pain and get to the bottom of your injury fast.

Do Stress Fractures Happen Immediately?

Unlike a typical fracture or bone break, stress fractures appear slowly over time. This type of injury is common in athletes that have some type of repetition in their movements. For example, runners experience them often due to the constant pressure on their legs and feet bones. As your bone strength gets put to the test in this way, the pressure can eventually become too much and little cracks can appear.

They typically appear the most often in your weight-bearing bones like your shins, tibia and foot bones. You also don’t have to be an athlete to suffer fa stress fracture. Older adults and people with osteoporosis are also at risk of stress fractures due to their weakened bones.

Symptoms Associated With Stress Fractures

• Pain when exercising
• Tenderness at the site
• Mild swelling and redness
• Pain that gets worse over time

Can I Keep Running With a Stress Fracture?

No! If you notice any of the above symptoms while you are exercising, stop what you are doing and rest. While stress fractures are not a full break of your bone, you could make your injury worse or even cause the bone to completely break if you don’t take it easy.

Thankfully, with the proper rest and break from physical activity, your stress fracture should heal on its own in a matter of weeks. Prioritize elevating the injury and take that much-needed break. .

Heal Your Stress Fracture Completely

• Rest and avoid the activity that caused the fracture.
• Ice and elevate the area of injury.
• Compress the injury with a bandage.
• Skip weight-bearing exercises for the time being.

If you suspect a stress fracture or broken bone, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Powdersville.