Stress Fracture
Introduction
Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone, often seen in the tibia or fibula, caused by repetitive stress and overuse.
Signs/Symptoms
Localized pain that worsens with activity, tenderness to touch, and swelling. Pain usually improves with rest but returns quickly with exercise.
Causes
Overtraining, insufficient recovery, poor footwear, and bone health issues.
How Physio Can Help
Physios provide offloading strategies, activity modification, and a progressive return-to-loading plan, along with education on nutrition, footwear, and training load. Medical referral may be required for imaging.