Chartered Physiotherapists

Specialists in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Stress Fracture

Stress fractures are small micro-cracks in the bone which result in localised pain and loss of function. They are a common injury in sports activities where there is repetitive high impact loading of the bone and its surrounding muscles, such as repeated jumping and long distance running. Although the most common sites for stress fracture are in the foot and lower limb, they can also occur in the pelvis, lumbar spine, thorax and upper limb.

Stress Fracture Treatment

The treatment of stress fractures requires a period of avoidance from the precipitating activity, your physiotherapist will encourage active rest and performance of pain free exercise activities to maintain fitness and promote healing. Depending on the site of injury the majority of stress fractures will heal within 8 weeks of beginning relative rest. It is important that you seek the help of a Chartered Physiotherapist to aid your recovery and identify any extrinsic (outside the body) or intrinsic (bodily) factors which contributed to the fracture. Rest alone is not sufficient, failure to address the underlying causes may expose the individual to a recurrent fracture.

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