Stress fractures are fractures of bone due to repetitive forces rather than a one-off direct force.

 

Common causes of stress fractures can include increasing training too rapidly or for a biomechanical reason.

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During your appointment you can expect the following:

 

• History taking where you will be asked several questions related to your stress fracture. The type of questions you can expect during this consultation include:

- History of the pain, including location, severity, referred pain, things that make the pain worse or better.

- Previous related injuries

- Occupational or Sporting activities

- Past medical history including any medications

- Previous treatments

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• A physical examination of area of the stress fracture as well as a biomechanical assessment looking for biomechanical reasons for the stress fracture.

• If needed to help reach a diagnosis, investigations may be required such as x-rays, MRIs or blood tests. 

• A diagnosis with explanation in laymans terms (non-medical language that is easy to understand) including biomechanical reasons and training errors

• A management plan will then be developed in conjunction with the patient. Management may consist of:

- education of the condition and why it occurred

- advice on what to do and what to avoid making the condition worse

- exercise programs

- injections

- return to sport or activity programs to prevent recurrence of the injury.

- if required referral to another health professional (physio, exercise physiologist)

 

Below is a list of common conditions seen in patients:

• Navicular and metatarsals (foot)

• Tibia (shin bone)

• Femoral neck (hip)

• Pars (lower back).