A 45-year-old member asked:
if i have a stress fracture, how would it be treated?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Brian Wosnitzer answered
Nuclear Medicine 18 years experience
Conservatively...: Usually rest is the treatment. Rest will prevent the stress fracture from progressing to a larger fracture.
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1 comment

Dr. Peter Ihle commented
Orthopedic Surgery 54 years experience
Determine what the stressor is an avoid it and protect it until it is healed.
Oct 29, 2013

Dr. Bruce J. Stringer answered
Radiology 47 years experience
Remove Stress: A stress fracture is an overuse injury of the bone, typically a long bone of the legs or a foot bone resulting from increased stress on the bone that caused tiny cracks to develop. If the overuse (running, vigorous training) continues a complete fracture can result. Treatment consists of eliminating the inciting stress, using braces or crutches until the bone recovers. Osteoporosis is also a risk.
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Similar questions
CA
A 28-year-old member asked:
How long can I play with a stress fracture without costs?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Tandy Freeman answered
Orthopedic Surgery 37 years experience
You can't.: A stress fracture creates a weak area in the bone that can, with additional stress and without warning, propagate completely through the bone and even displace. Depending on the location of the fracture, this can have serious consequences increasing significantly the length of recovery, frequently necessitating surgery, and sometimes threatening one's future athletic participation.
6358 views
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
What can I do to help a stress fracture without going to the doctor?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. James Chen answered
Sports Medicine 15 years experience
Stress Fracture: Not all stress fractures are the same. I would recommend going to the doctor for evaluation that would include a detailed history as well as imaging studies. Stress fractures notoriously take a long time to heal depending on severity, location, chronicity. Some will not heal on their own, some will require surgery. Most importantly, determining the cause is essential to prevent recurrence.
6186 views
A 41-year-old member asked:
Treatments for stress fracture?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A Verified Doctor answered
A US doctor answered Learn more
Cast shoe and rest!: This depends on where the fracture is located. In my practice i advise elevation, rest and Motrin as well as ice in the immediate phase. I also always refer to a podiatrist as they are expert in the causes and treatment of this condition.
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A 39-year-old member asked:
How to diagnose stress fracture?
7 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Tepper answered
Orthopedic Surgery 25 years experience
Xray: An xray may show a fracture. If not, and there is a high clinical suspicion, an MRI or nuclear bone scan can be helpful.
5876 views
A 34-year-old member asked:
Why do I still have a stress fracture? How long do they last?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Tepper answered
Orthopedic Surgery 25 years experience
Rest: Usually about 6 weeks, but you need to rest the fractured extremity or the pain and fracture will persist.
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Last updated Mar 16, 2014
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