Could My Foot Pain Signal a Stress Fracture?

When you’re an athlete or active adult, any injury that keeps you on the sidelines can make your life miserable. It’s even more frustrating when you can’t identify what’s causing your pain. 

One of the most common types of sports injuries is a stress fracture. A stress fracture is the name doctors give to tiny cracks in your bone or significant bruising inside the bone that result from repetitive force and overuse, such as long-distance running or lots of jumping. 

The specialists at MidJersey Orthopaedics (MJO) help patients throughout New Jersey and in Pennsylvania get the care for stress fractures they need, from the initial sports injury consultation through treatment. Our practice has four convenient offices in Flemington, Bridgewater, and Washington, New Jersey, with on-site imaging including digital X-rays and an open MRI scanner to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. 

If you’re struggling with foot pain and you’re wondering whether a stress fracture might be the cause, here’s what you need to know and how we can help.

What are the signs of a stress fracture of the foot?

Many different conditions trigger foot pain, including tendonitis, sprains, and nerve damage. For a full recovery, it’s essential to get an accurate diagnosis. If you’re experiencing foot pain, schedule an appointment with an expert at MJO to get to the root cause of your pain. 

Here are some signs that a stress fracture might be causing your foot discomfort: 

• Pain that develops gradually and gets worse over time
• Pain that increases with activity and gets better during rest
• Pain accompanied by swelling on the outside of your ankle or top of your foot
• Tenderness and/or bruising at the site of your foot pain

Stress fractures often occur when you start practicing a new sport or begin an intense exercise program. Your risk of developing a stress fracture also increases if you have flat feet, high arches, engage in high-impact sports or exercise, or wear improper or worn-out footwear.

What do I do if I suspect a stress fracture?

If you suspect your foot pain is related to a stress fracture, call the MJO office nearest you and schedule a sports injury consultation. Left untreated, stress fractures can develop into larger fractures, triggering increased pain and further reducing your mobility.

Stay off the affected foot as much as possible. You can follow the RICE protocol — rest, ice, compress, and elevate — to help alleviate your pain.

Can I avoid future stress fractures?

One important step in avoiding future stress fractures is allowing your body to fully recover from your current stress fracture. Your provider at MidJersey Orthopaedics reviews everything you need to know about your recovery, including how long you should avoid your sport or exercise.

Your provider also gives you tips and advice on how to prevent future stress fractures, which may include: 

• Avoiding engaging in high-impact activities without a break
• Alternating lower-impact activities with high-impact activities
• Making sure you wear the proper shoes for your sport or activity
• Starting slow when joining new athletic programs
• Wearing custom orthotics if recommended
• Eating a diet that promotes excellent bone health

Learn more about stress fractures and whether this common condition might be causing your pain by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone at the MidJersey Orthopaedics office nearest you.