Stress Fractures

A stress fracture is a small crack or severe bruising within a bone caused by repetitive stress and overuse. Unlike a traditional fracture caused by a single traumatic event, stress fractures develop gradually when the body is unable to repair bone damage caused by repeated impact.

Stress fractures most commonly occur in weight-bearing bones, including the foot, ankle, shin, and hip, but they can develop in other areas of the body depending on the activity and demands placed on the bone.

At Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, our sports medicine specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for stress fractures, helping patients manage pain, protect the injured bone, and safely return to their activities.

​​​​​​​Treatment is personalized based on the location and severity of the stress fracture, your activity level, and your recovery goals. Early diagnosis and appropriate care are important to prevent the injury from worsening or progressing to a complete fracture.

Stress fractures often begin with mild discomfort that gradually worsens with activity. If pain continues despite rest or begins affecting your ability to participate in sports or daily activities, evaluation by a sports medicine specialist is recommended.

Common symptoms of a stress fracture include:

• Pain that develops gradually and worsens with activity

• Pain that improves with rest in the early stages

• Tenderness directly over the affected bone

• Swelling around the injured area

• Pain during normal activities as the injury progresses

• Difficulty continuing sports or exercise

• Pain that may eventually occur even at rest
  
  

Seeking early evaluation can help prevent the stress fracture from becoming more severe and reduce the risk of complications.

Stress fractures occur when repetitive forces place more stress on a bone than the body can repair. Over time, small areas of bone damage can develop into a fracture.

Common causes include:

• Increasing training intensity or activity level too quickly

• Repetitive impact from running, jumping, or high-intensity sports

• Changes in training surfaces or equipment

• Improper footwear

• Muscle fatigue that increases stress on bones

• Poor training techniques

• Repetitive overuse without adequate recovery
  
  

Our specialists perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of symptoms and develop the most effective treatment plan for your condition.

• Activity modification to reduce stress on the injured bone

• Temporary restriction from high-impact activities

• Protective footwear, walking boots, or braces when appropriate

• Physical therapy to restore strength, mobility, and movement patterns

• Evaluation of training habits, footwear, and contributing factors
  
  

Most stress fractures heal successfully with proper activity modification and rehabilitation.

• Stress fractures in high-risk areas that have difficulty healing

• Complete fractures or fractures that progress despite treatment

• Injuries with significant displacement or instability

• Persistent symptoms despite appropriate nonsurgical care
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When surgery is needed, procedures are designed to stabilize the bone and support proper healing.