Stress fracture (also called a fatigue fracture) is a weakening or thin crack in a bone caused by repetitive stress on the bone. A stress fracture is an overuse injury. It is different from a fracture that occurs after a traumatic event, such as a fall. Stress fractures are more common in endurance athletes or athletes who perform repetitive, high-impact activities.
With sufficient levels of stress to a bone, anyone can develop a stress fracture. However, there are additional risk factors related to the individual and to the training pattern that can further increase the risk of developing a stress fracture.
The main symptom of a stress fracture is pain in the bone that is slow to develop, gets worse with impact activity, and subsides with rest. With continued activity, the pain becomes much more sharp, localized, and persistent. Occasionally, a bump over the area can be felt. A limp...
