The short answer: probably not.
Most stress fractures will heal on their own with enough rest, because in most cases the bones themselves are not displaced: they’ve been cracked through repeating pounding and overuse, rather than through a sudden trauma.
However, in rare cases (especially when the stress fracture occurs in or near a joint) where the fracture is severe, displaced, or likely to become displaced, we may need to insert pins, plates, or screws in order to fix bones in place while they heal.
Recovery time can be frustrating, particularly for runners and athletes who may be annoyed at having to halt their routine for a few months (even after their pain has subsided). However, it’s important to follow your doctor’s orders completely and give your bones time to fully heal before returning to activity—starting too soon can cause a re-injury and force you to start all over again.
For any chronic foot pain, sports injury, or overuse injury such as stress fractures, trust your feet to the experts at Family Foot and Ankle Center, Inc. Give us a call at (513) 728-4800 or (859) 282-1572 to schedule an appointment at one of our six Greater Cincinnati locations.
