Stress Fractures vs Tendonitis
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Understanding Stress Fractures vs Tendonitis: Key Differences and Treatment Options
Two potential foot pain causing conditions are stress fractures and tendonitis. Both can greatly interfere with daily activities and athletic performance, so understanding the differences is important for effective treatment.
In this blog we discuss what stress fractures and tendonitis are and how to tell the difference as well as best treatment options.
What is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture refers to a tiny crack in a bone, most often due to repetitive force or overuse. These most often occur in the weight-bearing bones of the foot, and especially the metatarsals.
Stress fractures are common among athletes, especially runners, because of the stress placed on bones from repetitive, high-impact activity.
Signs of a Stress Fracture:
- Localized pain that increases with activity
- Some swelling around the affected area
- Tenderness on palpation
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon, which is typically due to a range of repetitive motion or overuse.
In the foot, there is extensor tendonitis, which is caused by irritation and damage to the tendons that run along the front of the foot and it’s also very painful and significantly affects the way they move.
Symptoms of Tendonitis:
- Pain on the top of the foot or near the ankle
- Swelling in the affected area
- Hearing sounds similar to cracking or popping when moving the foot
For more information on stress fractures, you can refer to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms Comparison
Knowing the symptoms of each condition can help you differentiate between them:
- Stress fracture: Characterized by localized tenderness that is sharp and increases with weight-bearing activity. The fracture site may be swollen.
- Tendonitis: The pain is usually more widespread around the area of the tendon and comes with stiffness and swelling.
How to Identify a Stress Fracture vs. Tendonitis
How can you tell if it is a stress fracture or tendonitis? To help you distinguish between the two:
- Pain Location: If you feel pain that is sharp and localized to a bone, a stress fracture may be indicated. In contrast, tendonitis pain is typically more diffuse around the tendon.
- Answer to Rest: Stress fractures tend to get worse with activity, while tendonitis pain can improve with rest.
What Does a Stress Fracture Feel?
A stress fracture is usually a dull ache that becomes sharp with activity. Pain is frequently exacerbated (increased) with weight bearing and may be associated with localized swelling over the fracture site. For more about stress fractures, read out Cleveland Clinic’s resources.
Testing for Stress Fractures
What is the way of checking out a stress fracture in the foot? If you suspect that you have a stress fracture, the medical professionals may:
- Perform a physical exam to evaluate for pain and swelling.
- You will order imaging tests, like an X ray or MRI, to visualize any fractures or signs of bone stress.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society provides additional insights on diagnosing foot conditions.
Treatment Options
Treatments for both generally focus on rest and rehabilitation, but there are some key differences:
Treatment Of Foot Top Tendonitis:
- Limit activity to let inflammation decrease.
- Initially use ice to decrease swelling.
- Physical therapy to help strengthen the surrounding muscles and increase flexibility.
- Stress Fracture Treatment:
- Icing and elevation can also help with recovery.
- A boot or crutches to stabilize and prevent further injury.
- In very severe instances, the fracture might require surgery for repair.
If you are experiencing stress fracture extensor tendonitis foot swelling, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are you supposed to massage a stress fracture?
No, you should generally not massage a stress fracture. Interfering with the area could further injure it as well as slow healing. Ultimately, it is best to rest the affected area and seek professional medical advice. Information about treatment recommendations can be found in the National Institutes of Health.
What is a Stress Fracture?
These stress fractures most commonly occur in the weight bearing bones of the foot, specifically the metatarsals. These sorts of fractures are very common for athletes — and especially for runners — because they engage in high-impact activities.
How are Stress Fractures diagnosed?
What You Need to Know and How to Treat Them There are two common causes of foot pain: stress fractures and tendonitis. Both can severely interfere with day-to-day activities and athletic performance, making understanding the differences an important first step toward effective treatment. We will be going over what stress fractures and tendonitis are, how you can tell the difference between the two injuries, and what the best treatment options are in this blog.
Conclusion
It is essential to know the differences between a stress fracture and tendonitis to treat and recover properly. If you feel persistent foot pain, please consult your healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and customized management plan.
If you are visiting us due to recent pain, please do keep in mind that interventions in this kind of situation tend to be the most helpful and will allow you to return to your active lifestyle sooner rather than later.
Keep an eye out for more articles, or contact us for professional advice regarding foot health!
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