Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
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What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Hoop Help
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



Too Much Too Soon

Running marathons or walking to work, you could be at risk for a stress fracture.

Many of us exercise to reduce stress; sometimes our bones don't get the right message and we end up with a stress fracture instead. Surprisingly, it's not just long-distance runners who get stress fractures. Anyone who increases her weight-bearing activity is at risk.

At the beginning of every school year, students new to the UCLA campus begin walking an additional one to four miles a day to classes. Four to six weeks into the school year, we see students who have sustained stress fractures just from this added activity.

What is a Stress Fracture?

A stress fracture is a microscopic break caused by an overload of forces on a bone that has been unable to adapt to the increased stress. Unlike a broken bone, which occurs with a distinct traumatic event, a stress fracture is the result of cumulative overload that occurs over many days or weeks.

Bone is a living tissue that constantly adjusts to the demands placed upon it. As force is applied, the bone will remodel itself to better handle the force. In a runner, for instance, the bones of the lower legs and feet strengthen to handle the impact of landing.

The body makes bone stronger by increasing blood flow to the area and by reabsorbing minerals to form new bone. If too much force is applied, the bone may fracture before it can successfully remodel.

In sports medicine, we often say that stress fractures can be caused by doing too much too soon: Too much impact or force is applied to the bone before it can successfully remodel itself to handle the load.

The bones most commonly fractured are those of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula, followed by the metatarsal bones of the feet. Athletes who use their upper arms, such as baseball pitchers and gymnasts, can experience stress fractures in their wrists and upper arms.

What causes stress fractures?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention


The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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