There are many different causes for stress fractures. This includes severe physical stress, poor nutrition, osteoporosis, bone tumors, diseases involving the kidneys and vitamin D deficiency. Other things that may increase the risk of developing these fractures include obesity, prolonged sitting and abnormal fractures that occur due to trauma.
There are certain risk factors for this type of fractures. If you are more than fifty years old, then you are more likely to develop stress fractures. The risk of suffering from them increases with age and if you have a family history of such bone fractures then you are also at a higher risk. Women are more likely to suffer from this disease than men and if you have kidney disease you will also be at a high risk for this condition.
You will need to consult a doctor if you suffer from one or more fractures because there are treatments that can help prevent and treat them. Medication can sometimes help to reduce the symptoms of this disease. Certain drugs used to treat depression may be the cause of your stress fractures. You may also need to take vitamin D supplements to help make your bones stronger. This vitamin helps to strengthen your bones and as they grow older, this will slow down the growth of new bone.
Stress fractures are also more likely to happen if you have a low calcium intake. Calcium is needed for strong bones and if you are not getting enough of it, then your chances of suffering from this condition will increase. If you suffer from a previous bone fracture then you may be more likely to suffer from this condition. You are also more likely to suffer from this disease if you have a history of kidney disease or vitamin D deficiency.
The treatment for stress fractures depends on what has caused the fractures. If they are stress fractures caused by a lack of calcium then the doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements. If you have had a fracture before then you may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency as well. You may have to eat foods that are high in calcium in order to compensate for the lack of vitamin D in your body.
Stress fractures are also classified as postmenopausal, and they occur after you have reached the menopause. There is no permanent cure for this condition and it can be treated using either non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, which is used to strengthen the affected bone. Medications can also be used to try and control the pain. Other treatments include heat treatments, resting the affected bone and using a brace. It is always important to consult with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your particular case of stress fracture.