LOWER EXTREMITY STRESS FRACTURES

Stress fractures are very common sports injuries and can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Stress fractures occur when there is an imbalance to the stressors applied to the body and how the body responds to these stressors. Stress fractures can happen due to increase in activity, decreased rest periods, repetitive over use etc. 

Bones are constantly remodelling in the body and responding to change in loads in order to keep the body working. In regards to stress fractures, the bone is unable to respond to these constant changes leading to weakening of the bone and if force is continued can lead to a stress fracture. Between 80-90% of stress fractures occur in the lower extremity and is very high in runners specifically, worse in women than men. Tibia is the most common bone to be involved of all stress fractures however the second metatarsal is the most common in the foot. Individuals who have already had a stress fracture are also at 50% risk to have a reoccurring stress fracture. 

Extrinsic factors that can reduce stress fractures include: reducing training errors, training surfaces (softer surface more resilient and more shock absorption than concrete), shoes/footwear. 

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News