The athlete will complain of increased pain the more that they run and jump. There may be mild and associated swelling. In many circumstances x-rays may not show the stress fracture and the patient may require a bone scan or a magnetic resonance scan to confirm the diagnosis. Most stress fractures heal with a period of rest for four to eight weeks. However, there are certain stress fractures that will not heal without surgery and the appropriate diagnosis is crucial.
Many stress fractures are preventable.
Once again, a properly fitted athletic shoe is crucial. Although classically people identify muscle strains with sprinters, in fact, these injuries can occur in any athlete who accelerates or decelerates quickly. Most muscle strains require tearing of muscle fibers within the belly of the muscle, most commonly in the calf or thigh. Severe muscle strains may require a period of crutch use, followed by a long period of physical therapy to decrease swelling, regain normal motion and improve strength and flexibility in an effort to prevent recurrence of the injury. The more mild muscle strains may require a much briefer period of therapy and an increased emphasis on flexibility and stretching to prevent similar injuries.