Stress fracture

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Hairline fracture
Classification and external resources
Specialty Orthopedics
ICD-10 M48.4, M84.3
ICD-9-CM 733.93, 733.94, 733.95
DiseasesDB 7842
eMedicine radio/783 orthped/446 pmr/134
MeSH D015775

A stress fracture, also known as a hairline fracture, is a fatigue-induced fracture of the bone caused by repeated stress over time. Instead of resulting from a single severe impact, stress fractures are the result of accumulated trauma from repeated submaximal loading, such as running or jumping. Because of this mechanism, stress fractures are common overuse injuries in athletes.[1]

Stress fractures can be described as a very small sliver or crack in the bone;[2] and are sometimes referred to as "hairline fractures". Stress fractures most frequently occur in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia (bone of the lower leg), metatarsals, and navicular bones (bones of the foot). Less common are fractures to the femur, pelvis, and sacrum.[3]

Signs and symptoms[edit]

Stress fractures most commonly present as pain with weight bearing that increases with exercise or activity. The pain usually subsides with rest but may be constantly present with a more serious bone injury. There is usually an area of localized tenderness on or near the bone and generalized swelling to the area. Percussion or palpation to the bone may reproduce symptoms.[3]



Stress fractures commonly occur in sedentary people who suddenly undertake a burst of exercise (whose bones are not used to the task). They may also occur in athletes completing high volume, high impact training, such as running or jumping sports. Stress fractures are also commonly reported in soldiers who march long distances.





X-rays usually do not show evidence of new stress fractures, but can be used several weeks after onset of pain when the bone begins to remodel. A CT scan, MRI, or 3-phase bone scan may be more effective for early diagnosis.









With severe stress fractures, surgery may be needed for proper healing. The procedure may involve pinning the fracture site, and rehabilitation can take up to six (6) months.



Other animals[edit]







  1. ^ Behrens, Steve; Deren, Matson; Fadale, Monchik (March–April 2013). "Stress Fractures of the Pelvis and Legs in Athletes". Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 5 (2): 165–174. doi:10.1177/1941738112467423. Retrieved 2014-05-19. 
  3. ^ a b Martinez, John. "Stress Fractures". Medscape. Retrieved 2014-05-20. 
  4. ^ Kelsey JL, Bachrach LK, Procter-Gray E, et al. (2007). "Risk factors for stress fracture among young female cross-country runners". Med Sci Sports Exerc 39 (9): 1457–63. doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e318074e54b. PMID 17805074. 
  5. ^ 'Foot strike patterns and collision forces in habitually barefoot versus shod runners' by Daniel E. Lieberman, Madhusudhan Venkadesan, William A. Werbel, Adam I. Daoud1, Susan D’Andrea, Irene S. Davis, Robert Ojiambo Mang’Eni & Yannis Pitsiladis, Nature 463, 531-535 (28 January 2010)
  6. ^ Tara Parker-Pope (June 6, 2006). "Is Barefoot Better? Some Athletes Say Running Shoeless Benefits Body and Sole". The Wall Street Journal. 

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