|
|
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone and are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot - such as tibial stress fractures and foot stress fractures. Track and field athletes are especially vulnerable to stress fractures, but they can happen to anyone. If you're starting a new exercise program be careful not to do too much too soon.
What are the causes of stress fractures?
Stress fractures are caused by repetitive force and overuse - such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress fractures also can result from normal use of a bone that's been weakened by disease.
There are two types of stress fractures:
- Fatigue fractures: If a bone is subjected to overuse or repetitive stress beyond its ability to repair itself, it may crack. These fractures occur during high-impact activities and after prolonged low-impact activities.
- Insufficiency fractures: When a bone cracks during routine activity, it's often because the bone was in a weakened state to begin with. For example, insufficiency fractures can happen to people with osteoporosis.
Initially, stress fractures may be barely noticeable. But any pain is a red flag. With proper self-care, professional care, and treatment you can keep the stress fracture from worsening.
If you have a stress fracture, you may experience:
- Pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest
- Pain that occurs earlier in each successive workout
- Pain that increases over time
- Eventually, pain that persists even at rest
- Swelling
- An area that is tender or painful to touch
Diagnosing Stress Fractures
If you experience pain during physical activity or other signs or symptoms of a stress fracture, call Midwest Sports Medicine. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further injury.
A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your condition and performing an examination of the injury and surrounding area.
Your doctor will ask about your signs, symptoms and recent physical activity, and check for swelling or tenderness. Stress fractures may not be apparent on X-rays until about three to four weeks after signs and symptoms begin. If your X-rays appear normal but your doctor suspects a stress fracture, the diagnosis may be confirmed with various imaging techniques, including MRIs, bone scans, or CT scans.
Treating Stress Fractures
Treatment for stress fractures often focuses on simple self-care measures such as:
- Ice: To reduce swelling and relieve pain, your doctor may recommend applying ice packs to the injured area.
- Rest: Give the bone time to heal. This may take four to 12 weeks or even longer. You may need to modify activities, wear a brace, or use crutches.
- Pain relievers: If needed, take acetaminophen to relieve pain. Though research suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers can actually interfere with bone healing.
In more severe cases, the doctor may immobilize the affected bone with a splint or cast. When more conservative measures are ineffective, we will discuss surgery. Sometimes a pin is surgically inserted into the bone to hold it together and promote proper healing. In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive procedures, which reduces pain, risk, recovery time, and expense.
When your doctor gives the OK, slowly progress from non-weight-bearing to usual activities. As you become more mobile, your doctor may recommend working with a physical therapist. The therapist can help you reintroduce activities and practice strength and stability exercises.
|
|
|
|
|
Eugene P. Lopez, MD
Dr. Lopez is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who is specialty trained in arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine and total joint replacement surgery. In addition, he has provided care for some of Chicago’s finest athletes such as Walter Payton. His referral network extends far outside the Chicagoland area. He has patients that travel from Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. Dr. Lopez' experience confirms that most sports injuries are best treated conservatively with a customized rehabilitation program.
In his career, Dr. Lopez has performed more than 2000 arthroscopic ACL reconstructions and arthroscopic shoulder reconstructions. He was considered a pioneer when he performed his first meniscal allograft transplant in 1998. He credits his patient’s success to his specialized training, experience and his close working relationship with the physical therapists.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Mary K. Morrell, MD
Dr. Morrell is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in orthopaedic traumatology and specializes in fracture management. She has a large general orthopaedic practice with special interests in pediatrics, hand and wrist conditions, arthritis pain and women’s health issues.
As one of a small number of female orthopedists in the country, Dr. Morrell has an understanding of the orthopaedic implications of women’s health issues in osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and female-athlete conditions. For arthritis pain, she employs all types of joint preservation treatment and uses minimally invasive techniques when joint replacement surgery becomes necessary. She supports the growing need for early detection and treatment of osteoporosis to maintain strong bones and prevent fractures.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Sean D. Odell, MD
Dr. Odell is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine. He specializes in the treatment of complex injuries of the shoulder and knee including arthroscopic repair of tears in the rotator cuff, labrum, recurrent shoulder instability as well as ACL reconstructions. He also manages arthritis pain, and when necessary, performs joint replacement surgery of the knee, hip or shoulder.
Dr. Odell feels that patients need to be well informed about their diagnosis and their treatment so they can take an active part in their recovery and rehabilitation, allowing them to get back to competitive sports, work or back to their lives as soon as possible.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Bruce J. Montella, MD
Dr. Montella is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in spine surgery. He has an additional board certification in "interventional pain management". He specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries of the back and neck, as well as sports medicine injuries.
Dr. Montella also has a strong interest in sports medicine. He played football in college and was named Sports Illustrated magazine’s offensive football player of the week. He had a brief playing career with the Chicago Bears. He was a team physician for Duke University’s varsity football and basketball teams. He understands the importance of making the appropriate diagnosis and formulating a treatment plan that enables the injured athlete to return to competitive activity as soon as is safely possible.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Erwin Friedman, DPM
Dr. Friedman is a board certified podiatrist. He has additional certifications in endoscopic treatment and in shock wave treatment for treating plantar fascitis. He specializes in all foot and ankle disorders resulting from injury, overuse, deformity and degenerative conditions.
Dr. Friedman provides care and surgery for many foot and ankle problems including, but not limited to: Achilles injuries, Bunion correction, hammer toes, ingrown and infected toe nails, plantar warts, excision of neuromas, ganglion cysts and plantar warts, foot fractures and flat feet.
Dr. Friedman is a senior attending instructor and lecturer for the podiatry residency program at Rush North Shore Medical Center. He frequently lectures on foot and ankle disorders for businesses and at public forums.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Seanra Kalil, PA-C
Seanra Kalil, PA-C, is a 2002 graduate of the Cook County Physician Assistant Program, the first PA program in Illinois. Her professional experience spans gastroenterology, otolaryngology, allergy & immunology and radiology. Preceding practicing as a Physicians Assistant, Seanra worked with spinal cord, brain injury and subacute patients as a mental health counselor. Her Master's thesis focused on psychotherapy with chronically ill and hospitalized children and she conducted her clinical studies at the University of Chicago Children's Hospital.
Seanra enjoys treating both adults and children in the Immediate Care clinic under the supervision of Dr. Eugene Lopez. She is a licensed and certified Physician Assistant in the state of Illinois. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Kody Lewis, PA-C
Kody Lewis is a board certified physician assistant (PA-C). He is a Masters Graduate of Marquette University Physician Assistant Program, a National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) accredited program.
His training had an emphasis on general surgery, adult and pediatric orthopaedics, emergency medicine and general medicine. He is licensed to practice medicine and prescribe medications in the state of Illinois under physician supervision. Kody works directly with Dr. Lopez in the operating room as well as in the hospital and clinical settings.
Read More...
|
 |
|
Ross Robarts, PA-C
Ross Robarts, PA-C is a graduate of the Yale University Physician Assistant Program, a National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) accredited program. He is board certified as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) in Illinois.
Ross is currently licensed to practice medicine in the state of Illinois as well as prescribe medications under physician supervision. Ross works directly with Dr. Morrell and Dr. Odell in the operating room as well as the clinical and hospital setting.
Read More...
|
 |
|
|