STRESS FRACTURES OF FOOT & LEGS

Stress fractures can either be due to poor foot posture and mechanics or due to a rapid increase in work load / training (‘too much too soon’). Poor foot posture (subluxated joints) will put increased stress on a bone and increase the risk of a stress fracture. Stress fractures tend to present with a pinpoint (focal) pain and are sometimes associated with swelling and redness. In most cases pain is aggravated by weightbearing. Generally a plain film X-ray (radiographs) can be negative in diagnosing the presence of a stress fracture, but a bone scan will help to establish the diagnosis. Further tests such as a CT scan may also be required.

How to fix stress fractures naturally?

Reducing the excessive load / stress on the feet and legs is critical in allowing the stressed bone to heal. Common stress fractures of the foot and leg involve the metatarsals, navicular, sesamoids, tibia and fibula. Depending on the affected bone the initial treatment of a stress fracture will range from 4 to 6 weeks of weightbearing rest to immobilisation in a non-weightbearing cast. Once the stress fracture is healed, progressive training principles and correcting the underlying poor foot posture (subluxations) will prevent them from reoccurring.

If you have suffered or wish to prevent stress fractures from occurring in your feet and legs call to make an appointment with a Podiatrist at the Foot Posture Centre.