Stress Fracture Injuries - Recovery Tips
Stress fractures are microscopic fractures occurring in an area of bone under excessive repetitive stress without enough time to heal.
More Resources to Get Better
5 serious stress fractures of the foot and ankle
Here are some answers to common questions athletes and active people often have about stress fractures - risk factors, typical presentation and diagnosis of stress fractures.
Time for healing of a stress fracture
In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss healing of a stress fracture in the tibia and how you can adjust activities to help it heal.
Stress fractures: Frequently asked questions
Stress fractures comprise 1% to 7% of athletic injuries. Here are some common questions with answers regarding stress fractures.
10 Mistakes Active People Make After Suffering an Injury
This webinar reveals the top 10 mistakes that can prolong your recovery from injury.
Ask Dr. Geier: Fractures and Stress Fractures
How to get rid of pain, anxiety and frustration from your fracture or stress fracture.
The Injury Evaluation Course
Does the thought of seeing a doctor for your injury scare you?
Books
That’s Gotta Hurt
The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
Get the BookFrequently Asked Questions on Stress Fracture Injuries
- What is this injury?
-
-What is this injury?
Stress fractures are microscopic fractures occurring in an area of bone under excessive repetitive stress without enough time to heal. In running and jumping athletes, stress fractures in bones of the hip, leg, ankle and foot are common. - What are the common treatments?
-
-What are the common treatments?
Treatment varies depending on the particular bone injured and the severity of the injury. Generally treatment starts with eliminating the repetitive stress on that bone, such as running for a stress fracture in the lower extremity. Some stress fractures, including those of the tibia, navicular, femoral neck, and fifth metatarsal, don't heal easily or quickly and might require long periods not putting weight on the leg or even surgery. - How long could it take to recover?
-
-How long could it take to recover?
The time for full recovery depends on the nature of the treatment needed to get the bone to heal. Generally doctors hold patients out of sports or exercise that stress the affected bone until the stress fracture heals. For some bones, recovery might only take a few weeks, while others could take several months. - What should I ask my doctor?
-
-What should I ask my doctor?
It is always a good idea to ask if surgery is necessary and if there are nonsurgical treatment options that can be tried first. You could ask the doctor what activities you could do while allowing the injured area to heal. Also ask when you could expect to safely return to your sport or exercise.