Stress Fractures Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Localized pain on the bone
• Pain when pressure is applied directly over the fracture and the area around it
• Pain when putting stress on the affected leg
• Swelling and warmth at injury site

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and examine the injured area for localized pain and swelling.

Tests may include:

• X-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the body, especially bone
  • Stress fractures are very tiny and usually not seen on an x-ray until at least two weeks after symptoms begin.
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to show swelling and inflammation inside the bone
• Bone scan —a test that uses a short-lived radioactive substance to show a stress fracture