A fracture of stress or of tiredness is a type of incomplete Fracture of the Os. This type of fracture can be described like a fine Fissure of a bone.

It is a sporting Blessure frequent. It takes place especially on the bones which support the weight of the body, the such bones of the lower extremities: tibia, Fibula and Métatarse S.

Symptoms

Generally, the symptoms include Douleur and Sensibilité, especially when the weight is supported.

The pain is generally very localized on a precise point of the bone.

At the time of a race, it is typical that the pain is intense at the beginning, moderate with the severe medium then at the end and after its execution.

At the beginning the pain can disappear the following day from the effort, but ends up more not leaving if the activity is repeated.

Diagnosis

To check the presence of a fracture of stress, the Radiographie is always effective at the beginning of the fracture, even never in certain cases. One can thus use the osseous Scintigraphie, the Tomodensitométrie or IRM for an early diagnosis; or the radio operator standard differed from ten days.

Treatment

If the fracture of stress is on a bone which supports the weight of the body, the cure can be delayed or stopped if one continues to put weight on this bone.

The rest is the only way of curing such a fracture. The time of cure varies from 4 to 8 weeks. The activity having caused the fracture must be avoided during the first week. For the remainder of recovery, one carries out only one light activity.

In certain cases, electromagnetic stimulation of the bones assistance to be reformed. In other cases, one fits a hard plastic boot (a Orthèse). Damping soles can beings prescribed to attenuate the vibrations during recovery. Lastly, for the serious fractures of stress, the Chirurgie can be necessary.

Causes

Such a fracture is due to a repeated Stress, which does not make it possible the Ostéoblaste S to repair in time the damage made with the bone. It occurs on a healthy bone.

For example, this wound can occur when a too intensive drive is undertaken too quickly, and practiced on a hard surface such as concrete or the synthetic one. Another example is that of Soldat S which must go of long distances.

A fracture of stress can also take place at the time of a great muscular tiredness . When the muscles become too tired to absorb the shocks, the bones take over.

Prevention

The phased introduction of more intense stress prevents this kind of fracture.

The adjacent muscles should also be reinforced.

Food supplements of Calcium and Vitamine D help with the Développement of the bones. It was found that these supplements decreased the occurrences of fractures of stress at the military recruits of female sex.