Everything you need to know about stress fractures. For additional details, feel free to contact us or book an appointment online. We proudly serve patients from Coral Springs, Parkland, Tamarac, Margate, North Lauderdale, and Coconut Creek, FL.
What You Should Know About Foot Stress Fractures
High-impact exercises are excellent for enhancing any fitness routine, but some activities can place excessive stress on the bones in your lower body—especially the heel, foot, and ankle. Over time, this repetitive strain can cause small cracks in the bones, known as stress fractures.
Stress fractures can occur anywhere in the foot, including the tarsal bones near the toes or the smaller bones in the heel. These weight-bearing bones bear much of your body’s weight during physical activity, and when subjected to repeated stress, they can weaken and crack.
In addition to overuse, stress fractures can happen if your bones are already compromised. For example, people with osteoporosis are more susceptible to bone fractures over time. So even if you perform your exercises correctly, you might still be at risk if you have an underlying bone condition like osteoporosis.
Understanding the causes and symptoms of stress fractures can help you determine whether you need medical attention for your injury.
Do Your Symptoms Require Treatment?
Foot stress fractures can cause a range of symptoms, with pain being the most common complaint. This pain can vary in intensity from sharp and severe to mild and subtle, depending on the fracture’s location and severity.
In addition to pain, you may experience swelling in the soft tissue around the injured area, along with redness or bruising. Bruising occurs when blood vessels near the injured bone break, leaking blood beneath the skin.
Your injury could also affect your ability to move or walk. Some people experience numbness or weakness in the foot, which can make it difficult to perform daily activities. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
How Can Urgent Care Treatment Help?
When you visit an urgent care facility, the medical team will assess the severity of your injury. They may perform diagnostic tests such as CT scans or X-rays to determine the location and extent of the fracture.
Once they have a clear picture of the injury, the doctor will stabilize the bone using a cast or other form of support. Proper stabilization is essential for healing the fracture correctly and preventing further damage. The physician may also recommend pain management strategies, including medication to reduce discomfort and swelling.
If you’re unable to take prescription pain medication, be sure to inform the doctor so they can explore alternative pain relief options.
In some cases, follow-up care may be necessary to monitor the healing process. Many urgent care centers offer primary care services, so you may have the opportunity to see a primary care doctor for ongoing treatment.
If you’re experiencing foot pain or suspect a stress fracture, don’t hesitate to visit us at Walking Urgent Clinic for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.