Our articles usually are not designed to switch medical recommendation. When you’ve got an harm we advocate seeing a professional well being skilled. To e book an appointment with Tom Goom (AKA ‘The Working Physio’) go to our clinic web page. We provide each in-person assessments and on-line consultations.
I noticed a runner just lately with a gradual onset of lateral foot ache and swelling. Signs had worsened after a race and strolling was now painful and troublesome. That they had no early morning stiffness however did report ache at night time. This historical past mixed with bony tenderness on palpation raised my suspicions for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture.
These are thought-about excessive danger because of the impaired blood provide in that area which might delay therapeutic. This relies on the situation of the stress fracture:
Graphic tailored from Zwitser and Breederveld (2010).
Surgical procedure is usually required and it typically means a prolonged interval away from sport so in the event you suspect a high-risk stress fracture it’s greatest to rearrange an investigation asap. This can assist decide the situation and severity of the bone stress harm.
An X-ray is a wise first step to rule out a real fracture however will typically miss stress fractures. MRI is taken into account gold normal though fifth metatarsal stress fractures can generally be seen on ultrasound.
In case you are extremely suspicious of a stress fracture it might be crucial to offer crutches and advocate a interval of partial or non-weight bearing, particularly if there may be ache whereas strolling.
In our runner’s case thankfully the MRI dominated out a stress fracture which permits us to press on with rehab and be guided by signs with out concern of a extra severe harm.
To be taught extra about evaluation and remedy of stress fractures and all key working accidents be a part of us on the Working Repairs Course. Click on right here to seek out out extra.
