Signs You're Living With a Stress Fracture in Your Foot

When you think about breaking a bone, you probably picture a sudden incident. Maybe someone falls off a trampoline or gets into a car accident. But not all fractures — what medical professionals call broken bones — happen in an instant. Some develop over time as a result of repeated strain.

Since your feet bear the weight of your body and help you move about your day, they’re a particular problem area here. Repetitive stress on them can cause tiny cracks to form in the bones of your feet. These are called stress fractures. 

If you have this condition, we can help. Because Joseph DiMenna, DPM, and Jacques Tran, DPM, specialize in foot fractures, they can both diagnose the stress fracture and treat it. Getting your feet the care they need hinges on your coming to see us at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most common signs you’re living with a stress fracture in your foot. 

Stress fracture symptoms you should know

Stress fracture pain usually comes on gradually. The foot might barely bother you at first but get progressively more uncomfortable. Some other signs of a stress fracture in your foot include:

• Pain that gets worse with activity
• Pain that doesn’t improve when you rest
• Tenderness at a localized area in your foot
• Swelling in that area

If you notice a certain part of your foot hurting during activity and pressing on that area worsens the pain, it could be a stress fracture. 

Though fewer than one in 100 people will develop a stress fracture, certain things heighten your risk. Athletes, runners, people who carry heavy packs (e.g., folks in the military), and people with osteoporosis are all more likely to get stress fractures. 

What to do if you think you have a stress fracture

If any of those symptoms sound familiar — and particularly if you have a heightened risk for stress fractures — visit Dr. Tran or Dr. DiMenna. With a physical exam and an X-ray, we can determine if you have a stress fracture.

If you do, we develop a treatment plan for you. Usually, the first line of treatment involves applying the RICE method:

• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

Dr. DiMenna or Dr. Tran will give you specific instructions about how long and how often to ice and how to wrap the foot to properly compress the area. 

Staying off the foot as much as possible is key for your stress fracture. That helps your body’s natural healing abilities go to work on the broken bone. We might fit you with crutches or a boot to help here. 

We can also help you manage any pain, usually with medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 

In rare cases, your foot might need surgery. We can help you get the care you need there, too. 

You don’t have to have a sudden accident to break a bone in your foot. If you’ve been noticing worsening pain, it could be a stress fracture. To find out, call 856-667-8222 to book an appointment with Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey today.