Definition of Stress Fractures

A Stress Fracture is an overuse injury. It usually occurs when the muscles become fatigued (tired) and are unable to efficiently absorb shock from repeated impact of the foot. Over a period of time, because of their inability to perform their duties, the muscles transfer the responsibility for shock absorption directly to the bones. This in turn may result in a small crack in the bone known as a Stress Fracture.

Women seem to be at greater risk of Stress Fracture than men. This may be due to the condition referred to as "the female athlete triad" which consists of eating disorders (anorexia and/or bulimia), amenorrhea (an infrequent menstrual cycle), and osteoporosis (fragile bone disease). When these three elements are present in women the potential for Stress Fracture to occur increases.

Possible Causes of Stress Fractures

* Adolescents - young people whose bones have not yet fully developed (hardened) are at risk for this condition.

* Change of Lifestyle - individuals who make a sudden shift from a sedentary (inactive) routine to one that is very physical place themselves at risk to develop this condition.

* High Impact Sports - sports such as basketball, gymnastics, running and track may increase the risk of this condition.

* Improperly Fitted Footwear - wearing shoes that are too tight and do not provide the appropriate foot arch support or allow for the proper range of motion of the entire foot may be a contributing factor.

* Injury - a previous injury may place an individual at risk of developing this condition.

* Over-Use - this condition is often the result of overuse and repeated impact on hard surfaces. Increasing the amount or intensity of a particular activity too rapidly is a common cause of this condition. * Note: Insufficient rest between workouts and athletic competitions also increase the potential for this condition to occur.

Symptoms of Stress Fractures

* Pain that continues to get worse and hurts most during weight bearing activities. Often the pain diminishes (lessens) with rest.

* Bruising is sometimes present at the pain site.

* Swelling of the area around the pain site. However, swelling is not always present.

* Tenderness to the touch of the pain site.

Possible Solutions for Stress Fractures

In addition to appropriate Foot Care, we at Hawley Lane Shoes believe that properly fitted footwear is crucial to overall footwellness. Wearing shoes that are too tight will inhibit the natural motion of the foot and may potentially lead to foot deformities. Proper range of motion combined with proper arch support will help to optimize the health and the biomechanics of the entire foot.

For example, over the past 10 years we have received positive feedback from an abundance of customers who suffered from Stress Fracture. These individuals have shared with us that they have experienced significant relief after wearing clogs, sandals, and shoes that provided their feet with a more functional arch support. As a matter of fact, many people notice almost instant relief once they have slipped on a pair of shoes that provide the proper arch support and allow for the proper range of motion of the foot.