Taking time off due to an injury is difficult for any athlete. If you’ve been diagnosed with a foot stress fracture, an overuse injury that can occur when bones form tiny cracks, you may be tempted to walk to maintain fitness while healing. However, weight-bearing exercises including walking can delay healing and cause the stress fracture to worsen. Follow your doctor’s advice to get back to your favorite activities sooner.
Causes of Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are caused by repetitive activity that puts more force on the bones of the lower legs and feet than they normally bear. This overload of force fatigues the bones and leaves them susceptible to damage. Stress fractures occur when tiny cracks form in fatigued bones. Increasing intensity of duration and exercise, improper footwear and a change in surface terrain can all contribute to stress fracture development. Stress fractures are most common in runners, gymnasts, basketball players and tennis players and occur predominantly in females. A lack of dietary calcium can increase an athlete’s risk for stress factors.
Walking and Stress Fractures
Patients recovering from foot stress fractures should avoid walking as much as possible while healing. Since walking is a weight-bearing activity that puts pressure on the bones of the legs and feet with each step, it can be detrimental for those with stress fractures and may cause pain and prevent healing. Your doctor will allow you to slowly resume walking when the stress fracture is healed.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
To heal properly from a foot stress fracture, you should refrain from performing weight-bearing exercises such as walking and running for six to eight weeks or as directed by your doctor. Avoid the activity that caused the stress fracture. Rest is crucial to healing, and patients may also need to wear a boot or use crutches to reduce the bone’s weight-bearing load. Surgery is very rarely needed, but may be necessary if the fracture occurs in an area with a poor blood supply.
Approved Exercises for Foot Stress Fractures
Your stress fracture does not have to prevent you from staying fit. Ask your doctor for permission to perform exercises such as swimming, pool running and cycling. Unlike walking, these exercises do not put pressure on your bones and can help you maintain your fitness without jeopardizing the healing process.
