Hairline fractures happen when physical activity puts too much pressure on a bone and doesn’t allow enough time to recover. In most cases, they begin as bone bruises that can lead to small cracks in the bone’s surface.
Hairline or stress fractures, in the majority of cases, are overuse injuries that start as bone bruises and eventually become small cracks in the bone’s surface. They are commonly caused by playing a sport and performing a repetitive motion for your job. If you are experiencing a hairline fracture, consult the best orthopedic doctor in Lucknow at Apollo Hospital Lucknow to get the right treatment.
What is a Hairline Fracture?
You suffer a hairline fracture when something puts too much stress on your bone, resulting in a small crack. Also, they are so small and often hard to detect, even with X-rays. Many people with a hairline fracture continue to perform their regular day-to-day activities because the pain isn’t unbearable.
Usually affecting weight-bearing bones in the lower body, hairline fractures are majorly experienced in your:
- Foot (especially metatarsals that connect the ankle and heel to toes)
- Heel
- Lower leg (tibia and fibula)
Though uncommon, hairline fractures can also affect bones in your:
- Hips
- Hands and wrists
- Lower back (lumbar region of the spine)
Symptoms of Hairline Fracture
One of the common symptoms of a hairline fracture is pain that starts and worsens during physical activity. When suffering hairline fractures, pain doesn’t improve even after stopping activity and becomes more noticeable while resting.
Other hairline fracture symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Tenderness to even a light touch on or near your affected bone
Causes of Hairline Fracture
Some of the most common causes of hairline fractures are:
- Training too often without having enough rest
- Starting a new sport or physical activity without the right equipment
- Suddenly ramping up workouts
- Changing the surface, you train or work on
- Athletes who play sports like basketball and tennis
- Performing gymnastics
Besides, certain health conditions, such as vitamin D deficiency, obesity, eating disorders, osteoporosis, bunions, high arch feet, and flat feet, can increase the risk of hairline fracture.
Treatment for Hairline Fracture
Your doctor may order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a computed tomography (CT) scan to diagnose a hairline fracture.
Notably, treatment is suggested by a specialist, like the best orthopedic doctor in Lucknow at Apollo Hospital Lucknow, based on the location of the fracture and the severity of symptoms.
The following are the most common treatment options for dealing with hairline fractures:
- Apply ice or a cold pack to your injured bone
- Apply a compression bandage to reduce swelling
- Stop the physical activity that caused the fracture and take a rest
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen for relieving pain and reducing swelling
- Try to keep your injured bone above the level of your heart as often as possible
- Wear a cast, boot, or special shoe to support your injury and reduce pressure if need be
- You may have to wear crutches to take pressure off your injured bone
- In severe cases that lead to other complications, stress fracture surgery (internal fixation) may be advised
Prevention of Hairline Fracture
You can follow the below-mentioned tips to prevent a hairline fracture:
- Follow a diet and exercise plan that’s good for maintaining healthy bones
- Stop exercising or training as soon as you feel pain
- Warm up and cool down before any physical activity
- Right equipment must be worn or used during sports and physical activities
Leaving hairline fractures untreated can lead to other complications. Therefore, it is not a good idea to ignore the associated pain or wait for it to go away on its own. If you suspect a hairline fracture, contact the best orthopedic doctor in Lucknow at Apollo Hospital Lucknow for the appropriate advice.
