According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, or AAOS, a stress fracture is one of the most common injuries in athletes. A stress fracture is a minor break in the bone that occurs when tired muscles transmit force to the bone instead of absorbing it. Awareness of the causes of stress fractures can help prevent injury.
Rapid Increase in Activity
MayoClinic.com says that stress fractures are caused by a rapid increase in physical activity that your body is not used to. Bone constantly is broken down and growing. If physical activity is increased too rapidly, bone does not have a chance to adapt by forming new bone. As a result, MayoClinic.com states that "bone fatigue" sets in, and tiny cracks form in the bone that develop into a stress fracture. Therefore, the intensity of activity should be gradually increased to avoid forming stress fractures.
Impact on a New Surface
The AAOS states that playing intense sports on a new surface can cause stress fractures in the foot of an athlete. This occurs when a player switches play from a soft surface to a hard surface. For example, a runner may switch from running on grass to asphalt. This abrupt change would increase the risk of a runner developing a stress fracture. Thus, surface changes should be gradual.
Worn Shoes
Worn shoes that provide little cushioning can increase the risk of developing stress fractures, states the AAOS. Over time, cushioning can wear out in an old shoe and not provide the runner with the proper shock absorbing features that he needs to prevent stress fractures. Therefore, shoes must be replaced as soon as they begin to show signs of wear.
Increased Amount of Activity
An increased amount of physical activity can cause stress fractures, states the AAOS. For example, suddenly increasing a run from two miles to five miles can increase the risk of a stress fracture because the bones in the feet become fatigued and cannot respond to the increased amount of stress. The amount of activity should be gradually increased to avoid injury. A patient who is experiencing pain in the foot should seek proper diagnosis and treatment from a physician.
