How is a tibial stress fracture diagnosed?
An MRI is considered the best way to diagnose stress fractures. It can visualize lower grade stress injuries (stress reactions) before an X-ray shows changes. This type of test is also better able to distinguish between stress fractures and soft tissue injuries.
Can you walk on a stress fracture in your tibia?
Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances.
Can you diagnose a stress fracture without an MRI?
CT Scans. If you cannot have an MRI scan because you have a pacemaker or other implanted device that should not be exposed to a magnetic field, your doctor may order a CT scan to diagnose a stress fracture. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays combined by a computer to produce a detailed three-dimensional image of bones.
How can I tell if I have a hairline fracture in my shin?
The most common symptom of a hairline fracture is pain. This pain can gradually get worse over time, especially if you don’t stop weight-bearing activity. Pain is usually worse during activity and lessens during rest….What are the symptoms of a hairline fracture?
- swelling.
- tenderness.
- bruising.
Does a stress fracture hurt all the time?
At first, you might barely notice the pain associated with a stress fracture, but it tends to worsen with time. The tenderness usually starts at a specific spot and decreases during rest. You might have swelling around the painful area.
Is stress fracture pain constant?
Pain that progressively worsens over time. Pain that starts out as a dull ache which once only appeared during sports activity but has become constant and debilitating may be an indication of a developing stress fracture.
How do I know if I have shin splints or a stress fracture?
With a stress fracture, the pain gets worse as you run and persists in a smaller location after you run, Dr. Goldberg says. With shin splints, pain often occurs over a broad area, although it may be localized, affecting a small area. The pain usually lessens after you warm up, Dr.
What does a hairline fracture in the tibia feel like?
What are the symptoms of a hairline fracture? The most common symptom of a hairline fracture is pain. This pain can gradually get worse over time, especially if you don’t stop weight-bearing activity. Pain is usually worse during activity and lessens during rest.
How do I know if I fractured my tibia?
Symptoms
- Inability to walk or bear weight on the leg.
- Deformity or instability of the leg.
- Bone “tenting” over the skin at the fracture site or bone protruding through a break in the skin.
- Occasional loss of feeling in the foot.
What does a tibia stress fracture feel like?
Symptoms are very similar to ‘shin splints’ with gradual onset pain on the inside of the shin. Individuals suffering from a tibial stress fracture typically feel an aching or burning (localized) pain somewhere along the bone. Swelling may be present at the fracture site.
Do stress fractures hurt to touch?
The key symptom of a stress fracture is pain. Depending on the bone affected, it tends to hurt in very specific, pinpoint areas, and it will hurt when you touch the exact area where the bone is broken.
What are the symptoms of a tibial stress fracture?
– Pain on the inside of the shin, usually on the lower third. – Symptoms often occur after running long distances. – When pressing in over the area your leg will feel tender and sore. – You may even have swelling over the site of the fracture. – If you have a stress fracture you may also feel a particularly tender spot at the exact point of the stress fracture.
What is the recovery time for cracked tibia?
Recovery time also depends on how bad the fracture is and can take from four to six months to heal. What is the healing time for a broken tibia? The average time to healing in a simple tibia fracture is about 4.5 months.
What is the healing time for a broken tibia?
The length of time it takes to recover from a tibial plateau fracture depends on the severity of the fracture and your overall health. Most fractures take 4 months to completely heal. In more severe cases, it can take up to 6 months. It’s important to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure that the bone heals properly.
What is the recovery time for a stress fracture?
Ongoing pain.