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If your doctor suspects a stress fracture but cannot see it on an X-ray, they may recommend a bone scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Pain from stress fractures usually develops gradually and is worse during weight-bearing activities. You also typically experience point tenderness at the site of the fracture. Another common symptom is the immediate reduction of pain experienced when at rest. This would mean that the injury sustained is not involving any muscle groups nor it is a major fracture.
Are there different types of ankle fractures?
This X-ray of the mid-foot shows screws placed in the navicular bone to keep the fracture in a fixed position during healing. (Left) This X-ray of a patient who reported pain in the second metatarsal does not show an obvious stress fracture. (Right) Three weeks later, an X-ray of the same patient shows callus formation at the site of the stress fracture.
Will hairline fractures heal in two weeks?

Treatment is based on the alignment of the bones and the stability of the ankle joint. The goal is to have the bones heal as closely to perfect as possible so as to prevent any residual instability or malalignment of the bone. A malalignment of as little as two millimeters in the ankle joint can lead to arthritis. It is much easier to fix a fracture than to treat arthritis in the future. If the imaging shows that a person has a fractured ankle, he or she should consult an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible.
Broken Ankle
A physical therapist can teach you how to walk without putting weight on the broken leg. Often, a severe sprain and a fracture cannot be seen without an X-ray. An X-ray can show the precise fracture location and provide information that allows your doctor to identify the best treatment. For large fractures or ones that involve ligaments, your doctor may order more detailed image studies, including a CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
Your doctor may suggest using a splint or crutches to minimise strain on the injured area. Non-weight bearing activities such as swimming or cycling can be particularly helpful, stimulating recovery without worsening the injury. The pain is only present during instances of weight bearing and will go away at rest. It is different from an ankle sprain whereby pain is present throughout. Basically this injury is caused by the depressed response of the bone with the ground-reaction forces that are applied to the bones during activities like jumping, running or walking.
Why Do I Keep Getting Athlete’s Foot?
This is one type of stress fracture where surgery is more commonly recommended to stabilize the bones and expedite healing. The second and third metatarsals of the foot, which are thinner (and often longer) than the adjacent first metatarsal, are most prone to stress fractures. This is the area of greatest impact on your foot when you push off to walk or run. Therefore, ballet dancers are at particularly high risk of developing these injuries.
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Bone fractures in the foot and ankle can happen to anyone at any point. When discussing treatments for bone fractures, it is essential to ensure healing and take care of the places as quickly as possible. A fracture refers to an injury, and there are many fractures, ranging from minor hairline fractures and traumatic bone cracks, and more severe fractures may require surgery. If you are experiencing a hairline fracture in the ankle, you will need to treat an orthopedic surgeon who can check the knowledge of the intricate workings of the bones.
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The bones of the foot and leg absorb a lot of stress during running and jumping. Treating a hairline ankle fracture often begins with RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You may be advised to take over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen. Crutches or a cast may also be necessary to make sure the bone properly heals.
Hairline Fracture in Ankle Recovery Time
After an injury, it can take up to weeks to make a full recovery. Your doctor will use X-rays to see how well your fracture is healing. They’ll also look to see when they can remove the screws, if you have them. See a doctor if you have symptoms of a fracture, especially after a traumatic injury.
Athletes and people who work on their feet all day are prone to developing hairline ankle fractures. High-impact activities that may lead to a fracture include dance, track and field, baseball, football, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics, among other things. Hairline fractures, also called stress fractures, are small cracks in bones. They usually occur in the lower extremities due to repeated high-impact activities such as running or jumping. While they are common in athletes, they can also occur in older adults with decreased bone density.
After surgery, your ankle should be as strong as it was before the fracture. But if the bone fragments do not remain in place, you may fracture your ankle again or arthritis could develop. Your doctor will have you come in regularly to have X-rays to check that the fracture fragments haven’t misaligned as they heal. Additionally, medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) may help with pain and inflammation. Depending on the severity of your ankle fracture, your treatment may be nonsurgical or surgical. Signs and symptoms of ankle injuries and fractures tend to be obvious.
This discomfort can be similar to the discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of your foot) or bone spurs of the heel. Therefore, your doctor may recommend an MRI scan to help make the diagnosis. Temporarily refraining from high impact activities is key to recovering from a stress fracture in the foot or ankle. Returning to activity too quickly can not only delay the healing process but also increase the risk of a complete fracture. Should a complete fracture occur, it will take far longer to recover and return to activities.
Do not put weight on your injured ankle until your provider has cleared you to do so! Trying to bear weight too soon can cause the bones to heal incorrectly or re-injure your ankle. Your body starts to protect and heal the affected area as soon as an injury occurs.
If this occurs, you will experience pain in the foot around the base of the big toe. Diagnosis can be hard to make on X-rays; therefore, your doctor may order an MRI or bone scan if they suspect a stress fracture. A sprain refers to a tear or stretch in your ligaments, especially around joints that connect your bones. Unlike hairline fractures, which are often found in feet and legs, sprains commonly affect your ankles. Symptoms of sprain are similar to those of hairline fracture and include pain during activities, swelling and bruising.