What Stress Fracture Feels Like
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone that develops when bone breakdown outpaces bone remodeling. Common sites for runners: tibia, metatarsals (especially the 2nd and 3rd), navicular, and femoral neck. Some — femoral neck and navicular — are 'high-risk' and require careful management.
- Sharp, pinpoint tenderness on one specific spot on the bone
- Pain during a run, not just after
- Pain hopping on one leg
- Swelling at the site (visible in some metatarsal cases)
- Pain at rest in advanced cases
Early Warning Signs
Catching stress fracture at this stage is the difference between a week of reduced training and a multi-week shutdown.
- Localized pain on one specific spot
- Pain that worsens with impact
- Pain during a run, not just after
When to Stop and See a Clinician
- Pain at rest
- Pain hopping on one leg
- Swelling at the site
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