Our articles will not be designed to exchange medical recommendation. When you have an damage we advocate seeing a professional well being skilled. To e book an appointment with Tom Goom (AKA ‘The Working Physio’) go to our clinic web page. We provide each in-person assessments and on-line consultations.
I noticed a runner not too long ago with a gradual onset of lateral foot ache and swelling. Signs had worsened after a race and strolling was now painful and tough. They’d no early morning stiffness however did report ache at evening. This historical past mixed with bony tenderness on palpation raised my suspicions for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture.
These are thought-about excessive danger because of the impaired blood provide in that area which may delay therapeutic. This will depend on the placement of the stress fracture:
Graphic tailored from Zwitser and Breederveld (2010).
Surgical procedure is usually required and it typically means a prolonged interval away from sport so in case you suspect a high-risk stress fracture it’s greatest to rearrange an investigation asap. This may assist decide the placement and severity of the bone stress damage.
An X-ray is a wise first step to rule out a real fracture however will typically miss stress fractures. MRI is taken into account gold customary though fifth metatarsal stress fractures can generally be seen on ultrasound.
If you’re extremely suspicious of a stress fracture it could be obligatory to offer crutches and advocate a interval of partial or non-weight bearing, particularly if there may be ache whereas strolling.
In our runner’s case happily the MRI dominated out a stress fracture which permits us to press on with rehab and be guided by signs with out concern of a extra critical damage.
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