21 Mar Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a painful and uncomfortable injury. It occurs when your muscles have been stretched beyond their endurance. If you have been working a muscle for too long with little or no rest, your body will not be able to regenerate it and will transfer the energy to your bones. A stress fracture will result.
Symptoms of a Stress Fracture
Stress fractures, which are sometimes called hairline fractures are most common in sports training. Athletes who must constantly pound their feet against hard surfaces are most in danger of sustaining this kind of injury. Runners, basketball players, and gymnasts are especially vulnerable to stress fractures.
The one thing that all people suffering a stress fracture will experience is pain. It will be sharp and throbbing and will tend to flare up when you move the affected muscle. You may also see the bruising of your leg, ankle, or foot, and the affected area will be tender and painful to touch. The affected area may also begin to swell.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should not attempt to soldier on. Even if you are able to get through the agony of the pain—pain that will only increase the longer you leave the fracture untreated—you will risk a more severe injury. Under some circumstances, a stress fracture can lead to a more painful and consequential shattering of the bones.
Getting Treatment
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, you should visit a physician who specializes in El Segundo sports medicine. The first thing that the doctor will do is press the affected area to locate the source of the pain. They will then order X-rays to verify the diagnosis. The aim of that first visit is to rule out any other condition.
The sports medicine El Segundo professional will then treat the fracture. You may need a brace or cast. In some instances, you will need physical therapy. However, the body can heal most such fractures on its own. You will need to cease the activity that caused the fracture for a couple of months. This does not mean you need to be completely inactive. Rather than running or jumping the chiropractor El Segundo specialist may advise you to swim or ride an exercise bike.
If you are suffering from a stress fracture, you should figure out the best sports medicine near you. Being seen and assessed by a professional will put you on the road to complete recovery.