How long for tibial stress fracture to heal

Without treatment, a small crack can turn into a major one or the bone can move out of alignment. The result will likely be more pain, additional treatments, and a longer recovery period.

At the first sign of injury, it can be difficult to tell if you have a stress fracture or shin splints. Both are caused by overtraining, or a sudden increase in training or weight-bearing exercise. Both are common among runners and dancers. Pain may be confined to a small area, and is likely to increase when you put weight on your legs, walk, or run. Shin splints involve inflammation of muscles, tendons, and bone tissue, but the bone is unbroken.

They can cause tenderness and pain over a larger portion of the shin bone. You may not have much pain at rest or with low-impact activities like walking, but pain increases sharply with high-impact exercise. Shin splints can improve with home-care measures like icing, rest, and avoiding high-impact activities until it improves. However, if you try to keep up with your normal activity level, you may end up with a bone fracture as well.

Your doctor may be able to make the diagnosis visually, but imaging tests can confirm it. There are many factors that can contribute to stress fractures of the shin. Some can be managed to a certain degree and others are not within your control. Causes of stress fractures of the shin include:. You could even end up with chronic shin problems. A sports medicine specialist or qualified trainer can help redesign your routine to protect your shin fracture while you maintain fitness.

Stress fractures can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks — and sometimes longer — to heal. Keep in mind that increasing activity too quickly can lead to re-injury. There are some things you can do to help prevent recurrence.

Ask your doctor if you should take calcium and vitamin D supplements for bone health and, if so, in what amounts. A stress fracture of the shin is a thin break caused by repetitive, high-impact exercise. Runners and athletes who play high impact sports are at greatest risk for this injury.

Stress fractures of the tibia are most common in these sports:. Pain is the most common symptom of a stress fracture of the tibia. Pain usually starts gradually, and becomes localized on a small area of the shin.

Typically, pain is first noticed toward the end of intense exercise, but gradually begins to occur earlier on. Common symptoms also include:. If your pain is localized in one part of your shin and continues to get worse, you should see your doctor for an examination. Your doctor will examine your shin and ask you to identify the focal area of pain and whether it gets worse with activity.

Other imaging tests, such as a bone scan or magnetic resonance imaging MRI test, may also be ordered to help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for a stress fracture of the tibia focuses on pain relief and allowing the tibia to heal. This can usually be accomplished through non-surgical treatments. Conservative treatments include:. Surgery is generally not needed for a stress fracture of the tibia.

In very rare cases, your doctor will advise if surgery is a treatment option you should consider. Rest from activities that place stress on your tibia, giving it time to heal, will be the most important part of your recovery. Your doctor and physical therapist can guide you on gradual return to play, such as less intense and frequent activity, and running on softer surfaces. Substituting less stressful activities, like swimming, into your exercise regimen can help you stay active and build strength during your rehabilitation period.

Physical therapy exercises to strengthen muscles and tendons around the tibia will also be an important part of your recovery. Athletes will be at greater risk for recurrent fractures, so taking steps like proper warm up and cool down as well as a diet rich in calcium will be important. A Goodbye From Cool Running! Are you sure you want to delete this family member? Find activities close to home. Activities near you will have this indicator. Within 2 Miles. Activities near you will have this indicator Within 2 Miles.

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