General - Bony Stress Reactions/Stress Fractures

Bony stress reactions and stress fractures are very common in Sports Medicine.  They are considered overuse injuries and usually occur when the amount or intensity of an activity is increased too rapidly.  Initially the involved muscles become fatigued and lose the ability to absorb shock.  This subsequently transfers the load of stress onto the bones, causing injury within their internal structure.  Bony stress reactions and stress fractures are a part of a continuum of injury.  Bony stress reactions present as swelling within the bone as a response to the undue stresses and may eventually develop into tiny cracks such as stress fractures if the external loads continue.  These injuries occur most commonly in the weightbearing bones of the lower leg and foot and can occur from any sport or activity which causes repetitive microtrauma.