Stress fractures

Diagnosis

A medical history and physical examination can occasionally help a doctor identify a stress fracture, but imaging studies are frequently required.

• X-rays. Regular X-rays performed soon after your discomfort starts to occur frequently fail to reveal stress fractures. Evidence of stress fractures may not appear on X-rays for a month or more, sometimes much longer.
• Bone scan. You will be given a modest dosage of radioactive material via an intravenous line a few hours prior to a bone scan. Areas where bones are being mended absorb a lot of the radioactive material, which appears as a bright white spot on the scanned image. On bone scans, numerous bone conditions resemble one another. Therefore, the test isn’t specific for stress fractures.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). To produce precise images of your bones and soft tissues, an MRI employs radio waves and a strong magnetic field. The most accurate approach to identifying stress fractures is an MRI, which can detect lower grade stress reactions (injuries) before an X-ray reveals any alterations. Additionally, this kind of examination does a better job of separating soft tissue injuries from stress fractures.

Treatment

You might need to use crutches, wear a brace or walking boot to lessen the weight-bearing pressure on the affected bone while it heals.
Although uncommon, some types of stress fractures may require surgery to ensure complete healing, particularly those that develop in regions with limited blood supply. Elite athletes who wish to return to their sport more rapidly or workers whose jobs need them to be near the stress fracture site may also consider surgery as a healing aid.