A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone caused by repetitive stress or force, often from overuse. This cheerleader is concerned she will get another stress fracture now that she has started physical activity again. Can doing certain exercises from her past physical therapy help?
Last fall (2014) I was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my fibula. After and MRI and a boot for 8 weeks, I thought it healed fine. Recently when I started doing physical activity, I felt the all too familiar ache and pain in my right ankle. I have exercises from physical therapy but only do them sporadically. If I started doing them everyday even after the onset of pain, would it prevent another stress fracture?
Stress fractures are caused by the accumulation of microinjuries to the bone that weaken the bone quicker than the bone can repair itself. Strengthening exercises are not particularly preventative from stress fractures occurring. However there are certainly benefits to be obtained from exercises so I would encourage you to continue them as you are able. If your ankle/leg continue to bother you then an exam by your orthopedist with at least an x-ray and possibly an MRI or bone scan may be needed.
