Stress Fractures of the Foot

Stress fractures in your foot can be elusive little devils. You may not remember how you injured your foot to begin with. You may not even realize you have a hairline fracture that is the source of your pain.

If you suspect you do have a stress fracture you should visit your doctor and he or she will most likely order X-rays as well as doing an exam. This will consist of questions and the doctor will probably compare one foot to the other for signs of swelling.

Other symptoms of a stress fracture include bruising, pain, reduction of pain after your foot has rested (after a good nights sleep), and tenderness at the fracture site. You will most likely still be able to walk, albeit painfully. Moreover, you may not exhibit all of the symptoms at the same time. Bruising may not even occur.

One thing to realize about these sneaky fractures is the timing of the X-ray. The foot fracture may not even show up for two weeks on the film. It may not be seen until it starts to heal. If it is X-rayed too early and does not show up you could be diagnosed with a soft tissue injury. The doctors and a radiologist will both look at the X-ray and may miss the fracture.

At the end of your doctor visit, you may be given a prescription painkiller such as Vicodin. Rest for the injured foot and ice are also recommended.

If the pain persists, return to the doctor's office in a week or so and ask for another X-ray or even better, a bone scan.

There are twenty-eight bones in the foot but the most common culprits of stress fractures are the metarsals of the second and third toes, the heel bone or calcareous, the outer bottom part of the lower leg or fibula, and the navicular, a bone on the top of the midfoot.

If you are indeed diagnosed with a stress fracture, you may wear either an immobilizing hard boot or a cast. The doctor may want you to wear both at different intervals, depending on the injury. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for foot fractures; they may take up to twelve weeks to heal.

As far as the pain involved it can vary from individual to individual and their own personal pain tolerance levels. It can also depend on how much weight is put on the foot and the location of the actual fracture. From my own personal observations, I would say a badly sprained ankle would undoubtedly excite the brain's pain receptors at least twice as much as a stress fracture.

Sources: Personal experience and "Your Orthopedic Connection",

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