What are the long term effects of stress fractures?

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I have a friend who I suspect has a stress fracture in her leg, but she won't get it checked out. She insists on still using it, even though she's in pain.
My hubby got a stress fracture in his hip when he was about 20 years old from a car accident. Well when he was 37 he tripped and bumped his hip on a table and it caused the stress fracture to crack all the way so he ended up needing surgery and now has a plate and several pins in there to hold himself together.  (+ info)

What symptoms differ from a shin splint and stress fractures of the shin?

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i either have seriously intense shin splints or a stress fracture, but how can i kno for sure? the doctors cant do much either way, and its hard for them to see it in x rays anyway. but does anyone know the difference in symptoms?
Shin splints and stress fractures are worlds apart. And they can certainly see stress fractures if only by bone changes over time. But if you have stress fractures you are casted and off that leg for a while. Shin splints are tendon related and can be solved many ways through therapy and orthotics.  (+ info)

Once stress fractures heal, is the area stronger than before it got fractured?

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Specifically, I'm talking about the tibia (shin) bone. I've heard broken bones heal stronger than before and I was wondering if that applied to stress fractures or whether one was more susceptible to them afterwards.
i broke my shin, and when it healed you could feel that it was a lot thicker than the rest of the bone. I don't know if it's stronger because i always feel things there - like when going over a speed bumb in a car, the gives me a second of pain there etc  (+ info)

Can stress fractures start off itchy?

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Ive been walking and i think i have a stress fracture. It started off itchy then painful as I did my daily walking.
Itchy is a reaction to irritation to the nerves right at the level of your skin - as far away from your bones as you can get. The two are not related.  (+ info)

Do I have shin splints or stress fractures?

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For between 6 and 9 months I have had really bad pains in my lower legs (shins). The pain kind of goes away when I don't run for awhile, but as soon as I start running again the pain comes back. Every time this same thing happens and the pain always seems to get worse every time. I have all the symptoms for stress fractures and most of the symptoms for shin splints. Please give me some advice on what to do about these and help me figure out what they are.
You probably don't have any fractures, just shin splints. Maybe try putting ice-packs on your legs, rubbing them, putting a hot pack on them, or anything that feels good - it should help relieve your pain. If the pain persists, you should talk to your doctor on what you should do.   (+ info)

How can I avoid stress fractures?

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I'm going to go to Amy BCT this summer, where stress fractures are very common, especially amongst women who aren't necessarily overweight, but are inactive... AKA, me.

So, I have a question for distance runners or whoever else may encounter this problem frequently: what can I start doing now (3-4 months ahead of time) to help lessen my risk and strengthen my bones?
i had a stress fracture once... what i did to recover from it wz alot of lwr leg strength and conditioning wrk like walk on toes then heels cavles and shin raises, jumpin on toes... then doin same left to right and take bone n joint care  (+ info)

can stress fractures in the knees get you discharged?

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My bf has been in the navy about a year and back in November he hurt his knee very badly. they told him he had only twisted it and only put him on light duty for a while. But its been increasingly hurting him and he's barely able to walk now. The doctor said that they may have misdiagnosed him and he probably has stress fractures in his knee. His has a bone scan and an MRI set up but he's really worried he'll get discharged. Anyone know what the odds are?
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Can stress fractures in the hip lead to arthritis later?

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I recently got a stress fracture in my left hip from running, and I'm curious to know if this will later on lead to arthritis. For the time being I have stopped all activity, but eventually I would like to start running again, but the possibility of arthritis worries me.
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I have some stress fractures on my teeth, is this normal?

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Is it normal to have some stress fractures on your teeth, are they gonna break? The dentist really doesn't seem to be concerned. But when I looked in the mirror today, it scares me. Am I over-reacting?
Yes you are worrying for nothing. Enamel is very strong, but brittle. As a result, it is very common to see craze lines within enamel. They are internal microfractures, but they don't amount to anything.
When the dentist scratches over a craze line with an explored he won't feel anything. Passing the explorer over a true fracture line, you will feel a catch.  (+ info)

What types of excersize are acceptable for stress fractures?

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The fracture is in one of my toes from running.

I was given one of those bulky knee high boots to immobilize my foot and I'm going to be out of sports for five weeks.

But I'm trying to get a sense of what to do in the meantime and what types of weight lifting are acceptable.
Anything that doesn't involve the quick movement of your feet. So all weight lifting aside from major leg exercises (no Squats, calf raises, and so on).

Anything for upper body is fine.

Cardiovascularly,.. a rowing machine would be a good alternative, and help tone your back and help posture/core.

Swimming would be fine as well, if you can swim in your boot, or take it off, etc.

Basically you can use your head on this one -- anything that does not put any load bearing on your foot.

With broken toes I have seen people get around and do alot of exercise -- some simply manipulated the way they walked on the foot to avoid say contact with the "pinky" toe, etc.

I don't recommend this, as one wrong move is reinjury and you then have to start back over with healing.

But you definitely have alot you can do.

You risk atrophy of the effected leg,.. but 5 weeks isn't that long, and it will match the other very quickly.

In fact, I would recommend seated leg exercises with the OTHER leg as it has been proven that exercising the opposing limb actually keeps muscle mass from atrophing (shrinking) in an immobilized limb adjacent.

So doing leg raises would be fine with both legs actually,.. hamstring curls are safe for both (laying preferably). Single legged calf raises is safe of course, don't do the hurt leg. You could do single legged squats, but do it with no weight (just your body, AND support your balance with your hands). This will work your entire leg, glutes, and even some of the upper core.

You could do some lower impact exercises for cardio benefit like pilates -- It is ok to say do leg lifts standing, and be relatively gentle with the affected leg.. but just not jump on it, or run with it. Anything that mimics the pressure of general walking is fine. Pilates would be very close to this.

The 5 weeks will fly by.. and is really erring on the side of caution with healing. Your toe will likely heal in 3weeks or so, but 5 will allow the bone to solidify further and prevent reinjury. I imagine you might be able to put more load on the foot after 3 weeks or so, though you will have to confirm with your doctor/pt.

Take care,  (+ info)

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