Stress fractures are a very specific and severe type of bone fracture. This type of fracture is characterized by a break in the bone that travels the length of the bone, whereas, an acute fracture typically travels the width of the bone. If left untreated, the fracture will grow in length and severity. This is one of the most severe running injuries and has ended many running careers. For runners, the most commonly affected areas are the lower legs and feet. If a runner fails to wear supportive footwear, this form of injury is very common. Diet is another common cause of this injury. Because the density of the bone is a key factor a runner must be sure to have ample amounts of Vitamin D in their diet or their bones will weaken. High impact running will cause micro-fractures in individuals with low bone density. Repetitive micro-fractures will eventually lead to a stress fracture. Unlike other fractures, a stress fracture does not commonly have a noticeable point of injury. It happens gradually, thus the pain builds gradually. This causes many runners to ignore the pain and attempt to push through it. As a result, the fracture can be severe by the time it is diagnosed and addressed. Inflammation is very minimal with a stress fracture, yet another reason why they may go undetected. Failure to treat a stress fracture can eventually lead to a Secondary Acute Fracture. Rehabilitation from a dual fracture of this kind will be extensive and will require full cessation of all running and training.

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