Signs of a stress fracture

 

Stress fractures, in simple terms, are tiny cracks in your bone. Stress fractures are usually caused by repetitive force, often from overuse. They are more common in athletes or those who play a lot of sports and indulge in a high volume of physical activities.

 

Does your injured foot or leg appear swollen?

Is your foot tender when you touch it?

If you answered yes to the above questions, then it is likely that you are suffering from a stress fracture.

Stress fractures, in simple terms, are tiny cracks in your bone. Stress fractures are usually caused by repetitive force, often from overuse. They are more common in athletes or those who play a lot of sports and indulge in a high volume of physical activities.

But don’t worry!

One can get stress fracture treated by seeking help from the top orthopedic doctor in Bhubaneswar.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment options, and prevention of stress fractures.

First, let us discuss the signs and symptoms of stress fractures.

The famous orthopedic doctor lists down the common signs and symptoms of stress fractures-

• Pain: Pain is the most common symptom of stress fractures. People having stress fractures experience pain at the site of the injury. The pain worsens when one moves around and is reduced when one rests.
• Swelling: The site of the fracture or injury appears swollen.
• Tenderness: When you touch the area of the bone that is cracked, it feels very tender.
• Bruises: The site of the injury looks blue or purple.
• Weakness: The fractured or injured area gets weakened and does not function properly

Are you experiencing the above symptoms?

Don’t worry! It is advisable to visit the best orthopedic doctor in Bhubaneswar and get immediate treatment.

Now let us discuss the causes of stress fractures.

If you eat 2 chapatis daily and suddenly one day you eat 10 chapatis, what will happen?

It would be discomforting, isn’t it?

You are accustomed to eating 2 chapatis, and when you suddenly increase the consumption of chapatis that too to such a great extent (from 2 to 10), this would indeed harm your health.

The same logic applies in the case of exercising also.

When you are used to living an inactive lifestyle and suddenly start following an active lifestyle and engaging in excess physical activities and doing intense workouts, you are prone to a stress fracture. So, it is advisable to adapt to newer exercises and make changes slowly and gradually. When you were born, the height you had, and now the height you have, did the change happen in one day? No! The change occurred slowly and gradually! If nature makes changes gradually, then why don’t we humans? The experienced orthopedic doctor in Bhubaneswar advises starting and making changes in exercise programs slowly and gradually.

• Certain sports: People who play sports such as tennis, basketball, gymnastics, etc., are more prone to develop stress fractures.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop stress fractures, especially those who experience irregular menstruation.
• Weak bones: People who have osteoporosis, which causes bones to become weak, are more prone to develop stress fractures.
• Deficiency in vitamin D: A deficiency in vitamin D and calcium can increase the risk of stress fractures.
• Improper footwear: Wearing shoes that are worn out or inappropriate footwear can also lead to a stress fracture.

Do you have a stress fracture?

Don’t worry! You can get it treated by visiting the top orthopedic doctor in Bhubaneswar. The other treatment options that can be used to treat stress fracture are as follows-

• Apply ice to the injured site.
• Get adequate rest for 2-8 weeks.
• Wear protective footwear that will help decrease stress on your foot
• Use crutches to avoid putting excess weight and stress on your injured foot.
• Avoiding the activities that cause pain and worsen the injury
• Certain medications help reduce swelling and pain.
• Elevate your leg (raise foot above the level of the heart) while lying on the back to help reduce swelling in the foot and leg

As the old age saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Some of the ways to help prevent stress fracture are as follows-

• Make changes to your exercise program slowly and in a gradual manner
• Wear proper footwear
• Perform low-impact activities
• Include sufficient vitamin D and calcium in your diet to improve bone strength

So, now is the time to say goodbye to stress fracture and live a pain-free life by visiting the best orthopedic doctor in Bhubaneswar.

So, what are you waiting for?

Book your appointment now!