![]() This will lead to a more severe injury and, potentially, a completely broken bone. It is important, however, that athletes do not use painkillers just to get themselves back to training. NSAIDs – over the counter pain medication – reduce swelling and pain. If elevation makes a person dizzy or short of breath, lower the injured area and report this to a doctor. ![]() As with the “ Ice” step, the area should only be elevated for about 20 minutes at a time. This is another way to reduce swelling since it reduces blood flow to the area. Check them out below you can even choose from different color schemes to match your outfits.Įlevation – If possible, raise the injured area above the heart. Never apply ice directly to the skin.Ĭompression – We recommend something from our line of compression socks or sleeves. They’re designed to help prevent muscle from adding more strain to a fractured bone. This will reduce swelling to the area which will, in turn, reduce pain and avoid additional injury. Ice – Apply a cold pack to the injured area for no more than 20 minutes a time. Wear supportive shoes if complete rest is not possible. Rest – Try to avoid putting any pressure on the injured area. The basic guidelines are to follow the RICE protocol – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. It is not a substitute for medical advice. But, as with all sports injuries, it is better to see a medical professional if possible.Īt-home stress fracture treatment reduces pain before the patient can get a doctor. There are two phases to the treatment of a stress fracture. Inadequate running shoes increase fracture risks for similar reasons. The new terrain will also put runners at a higher risk for fractures since the muscles are not used to the impact they must cope with. This group can include female runners, older runners, and any runner who does not have a nutritionally round diet. ![]() The specific numbers vary from athlete to athlete, but the general guideline will keep runners on their feet and help craft a safer training schedule.Īny athletes who suffer from low bone density are also at a higher risk for stress fractures. Sports medicine surgeons suggest that runners increase their training stress by no more than 10% a week in order to avoid this issue. These are most common before a marathon or competition, or at the start of an athletic season. These can take months to heal, rather than the weeks of rest required for a stress fracture.Īs mentioned above, a sudden increase in training can lead to stress fractures. Left untreated, stress fractures can lead to full breaks in the bone. Constant pain is a sign that the fracture is getting worse. While rest is the most common way to treat stress fractures, sufferers should see a doctor if the pain becomes constant. But if they do not rest the injured area, the pain will come on faster with each run until it is constant whether or not they are on their feet. Runners may only notice the pain after they have been on a run for some time. Discomfort will come and go until the fracture becomes larger. Athletes often won’t know they’re injured until the fracture becomes bad enough to affect the area around it and the pain spot develops. Stress fractures develop quickly and are not caused by anyone specific injury. ![]() If the pain spreads, it is more likely something other than a stress fracture but only a medical professional can be certain. It is rare that the pain will spread over the whole area, especially if the area is allowed to rest once the injury is detected. This spot will be directly over the point where the bone fractured. The first sign of a stress fracture is an isolated spot of pain. Symptoms of Running With a Stress Fracture The bones eventually crack under the pressure and the result is a stress fracture. If athletes increase their training too fast, the muscles strain to keep up and that puts stress on the bones that they cannot handle. School-age athletes are also at a higher risk for developing stress fractures at the start of a season if they have not kept up with conditioning during their hiatus. Runners tend to experience stress fractures when they increase their training for marathons or competitions. Stress fractures are small breaks in the bones of the feet, legs, or hips due to pressure put on those areas. However, what they may not know much about are stress fractures–what are they and how to prevent or treat them. Most people know the signs and symptoms of runner’s knee as well as general treatments for the condition (if you don’t, click here). Not sure if you’re running with a stress fracture?
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