Bone pain when exercising? It could be a stress fracture!

Imagine that you have started running with great enthusiasm, or suddenly increased your workout at the gym. After a few days, you start to feel a slight pain in the same place in your leg. Although you didn't pay attention at first, do you feel that this pain is getting worse and worse as you exercise? You may also have a stress fracture, which is common in athletes. Don't worry, let's talk about this simply.

Simply put, what is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a very small, hair-like crack that occurs in our bones (bones). This is not like the bone breaking suddenly. Imagine if you were to bend a wire in the same place over and over again. After a while, the wire would break, right? Similarly, when a bone is subjected to continuous stress, the bone can no longer withstand the stress and a small crack forms. This is called a stress fracture. These are very common among athletes, especially those who play sports. Although painful, the good news is that with proper rest, these fractures heal completely in a few months .

What are the symptoms of a stress fracture?

The main symptom of this condition is a dull pain that comes from the affected area. This pain usually gets worse when you exercise, walk, or stand. The pain subsides when you rest. But the pain returns when you become active again. In addition, you may notice swelling in the affected area. You may also feel pain when you touch the area.

Why does this stress fracture occur? What are the risk factors ?

This condition often occurs when we suddenly start a new exercise or when we suddenly increase the intensity of an exercise. Then, our muscles get tired quickly because they are not used to the new load. The function of muscles is to absorb the pressure on the bones and protect them. When the muscles get tired, that pressure goes directly to the bones. That's when these kinds of tiny cracks start to form. This condition is commonly seen in the bones of the legs and feet when playing running and jumping sports. In fact, more than 50% of stress fractures in adults and young children occur in the bones of the lower leg. Among them, the most common are fractures in the tibia, the longest bone in our lower leg (about 24% of all stress fractures). In addition to these, stress fractures can also occur in the humerus during sports that involve repetitive motion, such as rowing, but they are very rare.

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms and examine the painful area. If a stress fracture is suspected, he may order an X-ray. But the important thing to know is that these tiny cracks may not be visible on a regular X-ray at first . Therefore, your doctor may recommend another specialized imaging method, such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test or a Nuclear Bone Scan, to confirm the diagnosis.

How do you treat a stress fracture?

If left untreated, the tiny crack can grow and the bone can break completely. That's why it's important to seek medical advice.

First aid that can be done at home (RICE method)

There are some things you can do at home until you can see a doctor. We call this the RICE method.

Medications that can be taken for pain

You can take a painkiller like Paracetamol to control the pain. However, doctors do not usually recommend Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac). This is because some studies have shown that these drugs can slow down the bone healing process. Therefore, be sure to consult your doctor before taking any medication.

When is surgery necessary?

Most of the time, a stress fracture does not require surgery. However, in some severe cases, especially when the fracture does not heal on its own, surgery may be necessary. In this case, the doctor will insert pins, screws, or plates to properly fix the broken bone.

How long does it take to recover? How do I start exercising again?

It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks for a stress fracture to fully heal. After the pain has subsided, your doctor may take another X-ray to make sure the fracture has healed. Once the swelling has gone down and the skin has become wrinkle-free, you can gradually begin to put weight on the area. You may need to use crutches or a cane. It is usually safe to put full weight on the fracture about 2 weeks after symptoms start. This weight-bearing helps the bone heal. But remember, don't do anything that hurts. Until you are completely free of pain (about 6-8 weeks), avoid the activity that caused the condition completely. If you start exercising again too soon, you may delay the healing process and possibly cause damage that never fully heals.

How to prevent a stress fracture?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. There are several things you can do to prevent this condition from occurring.

• Increase your exercise intensity gradually: Don't overload your body with too much weight all at once. Experts recommend not increasing your exercise intensity by more than 10% per week.
• Warm-up and Stretch: Before starting your workout, warm up and do some stretches for a few minutes.
• Listen to your body: If you feel pain while exercising, don't ignore it. "Push through the pain" doesn't apply here. Stop immediately.
• Use good equipment: Don't run in worn-out, old shoes. Choose shoes that provide good support for your feet.
• Take care of your nutrition: Calcium and vitamin D are essential for strong bones. Eat a balanced diet.

Stress Fracture, bone fracture, exercise injury, leg pain, sports injury, bone health, bone fracture