ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE
Stress cracks occurs most often to the bones of the legs and feet.
The lower parts of the tibia and the fibula bones of the leg and the second and third metatarsal bones of the foot are the most affected bones to accidents.
A stress crack usually develops due to excess pressure or loading on a bone.
This kind of bone craks differ from the classical broken bone caused by a sudden damage; therefore, stress crack develops in response to chronic tension.
A stress crack is also called a “hairline” crack because X-rays show it usually as a hairline.
Runners are the most affected to this kind of bone damage.
Other activities involving a lot of stress on the forefoot, also have high risk of tibial stress cracks.
Stress Cracks/Signs and Diagnosis
The first sign of a Stress Crack is pain that may worsen with weight bearing; pain may as well appear with direct pressure on the bone.
If kept without treatment, this pain will usually worsen, and persistent tension on the bone may cause a hairline crack to develop into a more unstable fracture.
For such reason, seeking medical care is recommended when pain is felt and worsening.
Regarding stress crack diagnosis, X-ray did not always show a developed stress crack .
Medical providers frequently use other diagnostic techniques such as a CT scan or MRI.
Therapy
Stress crack therapy will first involve relaxation and immobilization.
Walking cast and medical hard-soled shoe may also be prescribed for a few weeks.
X-rays and other diagnostic tests will follow to estimate bone healing.
Risk Factors
Stress cracks are most commonly related to sport activity, however other factors may increase the risk as well.
Furthermore, any disorder that causes a decreased bone mass will increase the stress crack risk such as:
Smoking
Alcohol abuse
Lower body mass
Medicines such as corticosteroids and DMPA (Depo-Provera)
Calcium and vitamin D insufficient levels
Foot structure or foot biomechanics abnormalities, such as a flat foot or high-arched foot.
Post-menopausal women and women who have irregular menstrual cycles, resulting in amenorrhea