See Your Podiatrist for Treatment of Stress Fractures

Men, women, and children of all ages see Middlesex County podiatrist Dr. Jason Grossman for diagnosis and treatment of all manner of illnesses of, and injury to, their feet, ankles, and lower legs. One common reason for a visit to the foot doctor is a foot and ankle injury known as a stress fracture.  

You might be familiar with the term fracture, meaning a break in a bone, and you might think of this as something that results as the result of a fall, an accident, or another trauma. Unlike this kind of acute fracture, a stress fracture is a small, hairline bone break that develops slowly over a long period.  

Because stress fractures are common in the feet, ankles, and lower legs, and because they are often the result of repeated motion, people whose lower bodies are subject to repetitive stress are especially vulnerable. This includes runners, dancers, and other athletes. Risk is increased with certain factors such as new athletic footwear and periods of increased training intensity, such as preparing for a race or rehearsing for a recital.

Be alert to signs of a stress fracture, particularly if activity puts you or a family member in a high-risk group:

• aching or sharp pain in a bone or a joint

• dull pain that increases with activity and subsides with rest

• pain that grows increasingly severe

• pain that doesn’t respond to RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)

• decrease in performance

If you are concerned about a stress fracture, the first step to recovery is visiting your foot doctor. Your podiatrist will conduct a thorough examination, reach a specific diagnosis, and work with you to create an effective treatment plan. If your issue is, in fact, a stress fracture, options for treatment will include non-invasive modalities such as medication, immobilization with a cast or boot, and physical therapy. Surgery is rarely necessary.

Call (732) 679-4330 or click here to schedule a convenient appointment with Jason Grossman, DPM in Advanced Feet and Ankle Care’s modern, comfortable Old Bridge and Sayreville offices today.