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STRESS FRACTURES FROM RUNNING - Sole-Lution Podiatry

Sole-Lution Podiatry

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STRESS FRACTURES FROM RUNNING

What is a Stress Fracture?

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone caused by repetitive force. This most often occurs due to overuse. i.e., such as running long distances. Stress fractures can also develop from normal use of a bone that’s weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis.

Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot. Track and field athletes and military recruits who carry heavy packs over long distances are at highest risk, but anyone can sustain a stress fracture. If you start a new exercise program, for example, you might develop stress fractures if you do too much too soon.

What Causes a Stress Fracture?

Bone adapts gradually to increased loads through remodelling, a normal process that speeds up when the load on the bone increases. During remodelling, bone tissue is destroyed (resorption), then rebuilt.

Bones subjected to unaccustomed force without enough time for recovery resorb cells faster than your body can replace them, which makes you more susceptible to stress fractures.

What are the Symptoms?

The most common symptoms of a stress fracture are:

  • Pain during a run that gets worse as you go.
  • A sharp pain that you can pinpoint on a bony area, it might feel tender to touch.
  • Pain when resting especially at night time
  • Swelling on the top of the foot or on the outside of the ankle.
  • Changes to your running form

How can I avoid them?

Simple steps can help you prevent stress fractures.

  • Make changes slowly. Start any new exercise program slowly and progress gradually.
  • Use proper footwear. Make sure your shoes fit well and are appropriate for your activity. If you have flat feet, ask your doctor about arch supports for your shoes.
  • Cross-train. Add low-impact activities to your exercise regimen to avoid repetitively stressing a particular part of your body.
  • Get proper nutrition. To keep your bones strong, make sure your diet includes enough calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients.

If you are having problems with pain in your lower legs and feet from running or just want to get into a good running style, don’t hesitate to call us on 9569 5145 or make a booking online and the team at Sole-Lution Podiatry will sort you out. We are located at 398 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville, NSW, 2204.

 

What is toe walking and what causes it?

A child’s walking pattern (gait) is described as toe walking when their heel doesn’t touch the ground while they’re walking. This can occur spontaneously, referred to as ‘idiopathic’ toe walking, in which the toe walking is a habit that develops as the child learns to walk. There are however, a few conditions that may cause the toe walking gait to occur:

  • A short Achilles tendon. This tendon links the lower leg muscles to the back of the heel bone. If it’s too short, it can prevent the heel from touching the ground.
  • Cerebral palsy. Toe walking can be caused by a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture caused by injury or abnormal development in the parts of the immature brain that control muscle function.
  • Muscular dystrophy. Toe walking sometimes occurs in this genetic disease in which muscle fibers are unusually prone to damage and weaken over time. This diagnosis might be more likely if your child initially walked normally before starting to toe walk.
  • Autism. Toe walking has been linked to autism spectrum disorders, which affect a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

How can you reduce toe walking?

Your Podiatrist will go through activities with your child which are based around encouraging a heel-strike gait, stretching the tightening muscles, strengthening any secondary weakness and facilitating learning of functional components such as balance or coordination. These activities include taping squeakers to the heel of their shoe to give auditory feedback when the heel hits the ground or recreating different walking patterns such as “crab walks” or “penguin walks” which emphasise heel strike. Exercises include calf and hip stretches, core strengthening and leg strengthening. Your Podiatrist can also provide heel wedges in your child’s shoes to encourage weight bearing through the heels, night splints to passively stretch the calf muscles or serial casting to hold the ankle in a stretch for a prolonged period of time.

When to see a Podiatrist

It is important to remember that all children develop differently and in their own time. Toe-walking can occur for a variety of reasons and often resolves itself. If you notice your child is toe walking on one side of the body or the toe walking is happening past 22 months of age, feel free to bring your child into our clinic and we will conduct a thorough assessment and answer any questions you may have.

Stay safe and have a great day!

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