Pediatric Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a common injury that causes a tiny crack in a bone. It is typically the result of repetitive pressure.
What are Pediatric Stress Fractures ?
A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone. A stress fracture can happen in any bone, but usually occur in bones in the feet, legs, arms or spine. It is a common injury in active children.
A stress fracture can start out small, but become a larger problem if continued pressure is put on the bone.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Stress Fractures ?
A stress fracture may have little to no symptoms when it first begins. Some symptoms of a stress fracture may include:
- A bone that is painful to touch or press
- Pain in the bone during activity
- Pain in the bone after activity
- Pain that gets worse over time
- Swelling
What are the causes of Pediatric Stress Fractures ?
Some stress fractures occur because of repetitive pressure that is put on a bone during sports and activities, such as running or jumping. Other times, a stress fracture happens because a person has fragile bones or nutritional deficiencies that make the bones weaker.