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Stress Fractures
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A stress fracture is a
bony injury that is not caused by a single traumatic event (like a fall), but
rather by repetitive loading (like running). An analogy can be made with that
of a paper clip. If one straightens a paper clip and then bends it back to
its original position, the clip remains undamaged. However, if one repeats
this dozens of times, the paper clip will break. Unlike a paper clip, our
bones are living tissue and have the capacity for repair. However, this
repair can take time. If we overstress a bone and do not allow enough time
for repair before we stress it again, there can be some damage to the bone.
If this practice is continued, the damage can increase to the point where the
bone can develop a crack. If one persists in activities even further, the
bone can even break completely in two. Both the crack and complete break are
considered fractures. |
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As you may expect, we
typically see these injuries in individuals that do a lot of long distance
walking and/or running, especially if they are not used to it. For example,
military recruits are often forced to do a lot of marching in boot camp. As a
result, they often develop what is called a “march fracture.” This is
basically a stress fracture of one of the bones in the foot. |
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There are many
different types of stress fractures. Fortunately, most of them can be treated
simply by decreasing one’s activity to the point where it does not hurt. This
allows the bone to repair itself. However, there are some stress fractures
which should be treated more aggressively in order to achieve healing.
Sometimes, this can mean being immobilized in a cast and/or being placed on
crutches. Other times, this means surgical intervention.
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