Is It Safe to Keep Running with a Stress Fracture?

Injuries from running vary widely, from minor problems like blister management to sidelining bone fractures. In between, there’s the milder-sounding stress fracture, which may sound like an injury you can compete or train through, since it’s an overuse injury rather than a traumatic event. 

However, it’s not safe to keep running with a stress fracture. Podiatrist Dominick Mastracco, DPM, FACFAS, of Mastracco Foot & Ankle in North Canton, Ohio, advises that you stop running completely and seek specialized foot care to evaluate the extent of your injury. 

Stress fractures can take up to six weeks or longer to fully heal, and you risk complicating the fracture and its effects if you continue to run. Let’s take a closer look at the problem. 

How do I recognize a stress fracture from running? 

Most stress fractures result from cumulative damage over time. There’s usually no single event that causes a stress fracture, and you’ll likely first notice it as pain that emerges during a run that gets worse as you continue. 

The source of the pain may be a normally bony part of the foot, possibly including a tender spot that hurts more when you press on the area. Pain may continue when you stop running, but sometimes symptoms can also subside, depending on the severity of the injury. 

Stress fractures can cause swelling, most often on the top of the foot or on the side of the ankle. Discomfort from the injury may affect your normal running gait. 

Causes of stress fractures

The most common culprit behind stress fractures from running is overuse. Each time you run, micro injuries form in the bones of your feet, ankles, and shins. With adequate time for repair, the body stays ahead of these injuries. 

Increasing your running frequency or distance may cause a healing deficit that results in a stress fracture. Other causes include: 

• Body mechanics: weak running form can put excess stress on bones of the foot and ankle
• Worn or ill-fitting footwear: old shoes, footwear designed for other activities, or any shoe that’s too loose or too tight can lead to stress fractures
• Changing surfaces: treadmills and indoor tracks are easier on your feet than pavement and other hard surfaces
• Osteoporosis: loss of bone density may lead to stress and compression fractures

Your nutrition may also be a factor. Conditions such as low calcium absorption, high caffeine consumption, and high sodium levels can affect your bone health. Runners may need to alter their diet to compensate for the demand of running. 

If you suspect you have a stress fracture from running, stop running immediately and contact Mastracco Foot & Ankle. Prompt podiatric care is the quickest way to safely return to the track. Call or click to make an appointment with our North Canton office today.