Stress Fracture
A stress fracture results from overloading the bone by continuous muscle contraction, for example, running. This may affect either the tibia or fibula (fig 2), which are the two main bones of the lower leg, with the tibia being the larger of the two. However, due to the fact that the role of the tibia is load bearing, it is the most common site of the two. Pain is usually experienced on the lower two thirds of the tibia.
Symptoms:
- Localised pain and swelling.
- Localised tenderness.
- Pain is constant or increasing with exercise.
- Pain/ache at night or in the morning.
- Pain on jumping movements.