Preventing Stress Fractures

07 Jan Preventing Stress Fractures

Have you recently begun to experience pain in either your legs or your feet? Does this pain ease when you rest, then spontaneously start back up again once any pressure is placed on the affected area? If these symptoms sound familiar, a stress fracture could be the primary culprit. Some stress fractures could be given a minor diagnosis, a medical professional will still be needed for diagnosis and treatment. At Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation, our orthopedist in Nassau County will be able to provide these services. Specializing in these types of injuries, Dr. Stanislav Avshalumov and the rest of our expert orthopedic staff can provide you with the quality care you desire.

Managing A Stress Fracture

Since stress fractures typically occur in weight-bearing bones, your legs and feet are the most at risk for this injury. These tiny cracks in the bones are often the result of repetitive jumping or running for long distances. This makes athletes much more susceptible to this type of injury, however, anyone is susceptible. Immediately following a stress fracture, you may not experience any initial pain. However, the pain will likely increase over time if no treatment has been provided. You may also begin to experience swelling around the affected area. If you believe you may have suffered a stress fracture, make an appointment with our orthopedist in Nassau County so you can be examined and properly diagnosed.      

What Puts You At Risk?

If treatment for stress fractures is not received promptly, you open yourself up to the potential of developing chronic pain. Our orthopedist in Nassau County lists the below risk factors that lead to stress fractures so you can be more aware of how to prevent it from occurring:

• High impact and high volume sports such as basketball, track, and soccer.
• Foot problems such as flat feet or rigid arches.
• History of previous stress fractures.
• Improper footwear/lack of arch support in shoes.
• Lack of recovery – this may include malnutrition and/or minimal stretching or warm-up/cool-down.
• Heel-striking when running – should land softly on balls of feet, not the heels. 

How You Can Prevent Stress Fractures?

Whether you are an athlete who wants to return to the game or an average person who just wants the discomfort to stop, dealing with stress fractures can make your life miserable. Though sometimes unavoidable, our orthopedist in Nassau County can offer the following advice to mitigate the risk of any stress fractures from occurring:

• Manage Exercises: Due to the nature of stress fractures, pushing yourself too hard can lead to the occurrence of this injury. If you are starting a new workout program, it is important to refrain from overexerting yourself. Never increase your workload by more than 10% each week as a general rule of thumb.

• Eat Right: If you are not intaking the proper nutrients, it can lead to weakened bones which increases your risk of stress fractures. Making sure you are getting the right amount of calcium and vitamin D can keep your bones strong and sturdy to help avoid injury.

• Wear Proper Footwear: One of the most common causes of any foot or leg related injuries can be traced back to improper footwear. From competing in a sport to just walking around, if your shoes are not correct for the occasion, you are putting yourself at risk. Always make sure your shoes fit correctly and offer proper arch support.

• Give Yourself a Break: Oftentimes, individuals can lead themselves to stress fractures because of the ongoing activity and stress being put on their bodies. This is done without their being given a chance to recover. This is why certain athletes that participate in sports such as cross country, soccer, basketball, and others are more susceptible to stress fractures. These athletes must maintain a high volume training routine to keep up with the demands of the sport. 

Once you begin to notice pain, action must be taken by our Nassau County orthopedist to treat the stress fracture before it becomes worse. The sooner you receive care, the faster this injury can be treated which will allow you to miss as little playing time as possible (if you’re an athlete). If you are feeling overworked and in pain, don’t be afraid to speak up to prevent these overuse injuries from taking place. 

Orthopedist in Nassau County – Dr. Stanislav Avshalumov

Our team at Advanced Orthopedics and Joint Preservation knows that even after understanding the risks that lead to stress fractures and taking preventative methods against them, injuries can still happen. If you have suffered from a stress fracture, meeting with our orthopedist in Nassau County can be your saving grace. Contact us today so you can get back to being pain-free.