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Stress Fracture Q & A

Stress Fracture Q & A

If you are suffering from a stress fracture consider seeking assistance with Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates. We specialize in podiatry and are experts in dealing with stress fractures and broken bones in the foot. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Pittsburg CA, Antioch CA, Alamo CA, Danville CA, and Oakley CA.

Stress Fracture Treatment Near Me in Walnut Creek CA and Brentwood CA
Stress Fracture Treatment Near Me in Walnut Creek CA and Brentwood CA

Table of Contents:

Is a Stress Fracture considered a Broken Bone?
Can you walk on a stress fracture?
What complications can occur if a stress fracture is left untreated?

Are you suffering from a strange, unexplained pain in your foot? Has it been getting worse? Have you noticed uncharacteristic swelling in the area? If these symptoms sound familiar you may be dealing with a stress fracture. While not as outright debilitating as a fully broken bone an untreated stress fracture can be very painful and can cause a great deal of complications if ignored. If you think you may be suffering from a stress fracture please consider Bay Area Foot and Ankle Associates with Dr. John W. Scivally, DPM And Dr. Robin K. Lie, DPM with locations at 2227 Olympic Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94595 and 2400 Balfour Road, Suite 230 Brentwood, CA 94513 for your convenience.

Is a Stress Fracture considered a Broken Bone?


Stress Fractures are small cracks or breaks in the bone often caused by repetitive trauma to a specific area. In the foot and leg area these injuries are most often found in the shins, foot and heel but can also affect the hip and lower back. This type of injury is especially common in those who put a great deal of strain on their bodies regularly, such as athletes or warehouse workers, but stress fractures can affect anyone who performs repetitive tasks.

Unlike a fully broken bone, a stress fracture does not need to be reset and they frequently heal faster than a full break. This process can take as few as 6 weeks but often requires up to 8 weeks, especially if care is not taken to minimize additional stress on the injury location.

Can you walk on a stress fracture?


Before you start applying any more weight than necessary on a stress fracture you should be sure to consult with a doctor regarding the injury. Walking on and putting weight on a stress fracture can lead to a worsening of the injury and prolong the healing process, your doctor will be able to inform you on the severity of the fracture and what degree of activity it can handle.

The best treatment for a stress fracture is to immobilize the area using a splint, cast or fracture boot and ensure that the injured area is protected. In rare cases, you may need to be partially or fully non weight bearing and use crutches to promote proper healing of the injury.

What complications can occur if a stress fracture is left untreated?


Ignoring the problem of a stress fracture is a common problem as stress fractures aren’t as immediately obvious as ordinary broken bones many of those suffering from stress fractures underestimate the severity of the injury and assume it is a minor injury that will go away on its own. However, if you think you may be suffering from a stress fracture, you should seek out professional medical attention as soon as you are able. Untreated Stress Fractures can lead to additional stress fractures, great increases in pain and a greatly reduced healing process that can extend your recovery time to months instead of weeks.

Some ways you can tell if you have a stress fracture include redness, tenderness and swelling at the site of the fracture and pain that grows greater over time, especially if you put weight on the injured area. If you think you have a stress fracture your best means of coping until you can see a doctor are to keep weight off the affected limb, apply cold cloths and ice packs to the affected area and use pain medication to keep pain under control.

If are in the Bay Area please feel free to contact us at one of our locations in order to schedule an online appointment. Our staff will contact you back within 24 hours to confirm the details so we can get you examined and diagnosed at your earliest convenience.