Knee Stress Fracture

What are knee stress fractures, and how are they treated?

Our knees play an important role in helping us accomplish everyday tasks. That being said, it’s understandable why we can become a little anxious when knee pain creeps in.

At OrthoNeuro, our goal is to find the source of your pain, provide treatment, and get you on the road to recovery. Contact us in Columbus, Ohio, today to get your knee pain properly diagnosed!

What is a Knee Stress Fracture?

A knee stress fracture is an injury in which there is damage to the bone underneath the cartilage (called the subchondral bone). This can develop in any of the three bones around the knee: the femur, tibia, and patella.

Stress fractures in your knee are not usually more painful or debilitating than broken bones or other injuries. However, if you do not treat the injury more serious issues can develop.

Stress fractures of the knee are rare. Athletes can get a stress fracture in the knee. It is also common as people age, when their bone density decreases and damage can happen with weightbearing. Another possibility is that your patella may have become weakened after having patella resurfacing surgery.

While rare, stress fractures of the knee seem to have a higher occurrence in athletes. In other cases, though, your patella may have become weakened after having patella resurfacing surgery.

Causes of Knee Stress Fractures

Generally, stress fractures of the knee are caused by:

Overuse
Repetitive stress or force (high-impact exercises or sports)
Fatigue
Muscular weakness
Direct blow or fall on your knee (from a sports injury or a car accident)

Risk Factors of Knee Stress Fractures

Being overweight or having a medical condition such as osteoporosis, which decreases your bone density and strength, may increase your risk of having a stress fracture. Previous stress fractures may also make it more likely that you will have another stress fracture.

Symptoms of a Stress Fracture

The symptoms of a stress fracture can often be mild. Knowing what to look for could help you prevent further damage and find the proper methods to relieve your pain.

These stress fracture symptoms include:

Pain that tends to worsen with weightbearing
Swelling
“Pin-Point” Tenderness (pain when fracture spot on bone touched)
Bruising

How Are Knee Stress Fractures Diagnosed?

At times, a stress fracture knee may be difficult to diagnose. To diagnose a stress fracture properly, your specialist will first review your medical history, coupled with a thorough physical examination.

During your examination, your doctor will inspect your knee for abnormalities. You will also be asked to provide a detailed description of your symptoms. Additionally, x-rays may be taken to provide detailed images and a diagnostic view of the affected leg. An MRI may also be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.

If further tests are needed, your doctor may recommend a bone scan. A bone scan is an imaging technique used to detect the presence and location of a fracture.

How Are Stress Fractures Treated?

There are several different treatment options for stress fractures. Stress fractures can be treated non-surgically and surgically. However, surgical treatment is usually not required.

Depending on the degree of your stress fracture, your specialist will discuss which option best fits your needs and goals and then plan accordingly to help relieve pain.

Non-surgical treatments include:

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Modified activity levels, specifically a cessation of all activities that cause stress on your knee
Crutches/weight-bearing restrictions
Over-the-counter pain medications
Medications to help improve bone density

Can a Stress Fracture Heal on Its Own?

It is important to note that your stress fracture could become severe without proper treatment. If the stress fracture worsens, it may become a true fracture or even a displaced fracture. Not only will your pain intensify, but surgery may then be required.

One surgical procedure used to fix displaced fractures is called internal fixation. During an internal fixation, the fracture site will be adequately exposed, and a reduction of the fracture will be completed. There are also newer, minimally invasive techniques to inject bone cement at the site of the injury to help support the bone from within.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Stress Fractures?

Recovery from stress fractures takes time and may vary from person to person. With proper rest and compliance with your doctor’s orders, it may take about 6 to 8 weeks for your stress fracture to heal. Most people do not require surgery.

However, if you require surgery, please keep a few things in mind. Initially, after your surgery, there may be some weight-bearing restrictions put in place by your doctor. Also, physical therapy may be recommended to help you regain your range of motion.

Are Stress Fractures Preventable?

Yes, stress fractures can be prevented. You can reduce your risk by solely participating in low-impact activities and avoiding repetitive movements.

One way you can prevent stress fractures is by slowly and progressively incorporating a new exercise into your regimen. Maintaining proper nutrition can also help keep your bones strong and healthy.

Additionally, many have found cross-training to be very beneficial in preventing stress fractures. These low-impact activities can help you avoid repetitive movements that can stress a particular part of your body.

Wearing proper footwear can also reduce your chances of having a stress fracture.

It is also important to have your bone density checked as you age. If you are at risk for osteoporosis, your primary care doctor may put you on preventative medications.

It can be an unpleasant experience if you develop stress fractures in your knee. However, having someone who knows how to treat them properly can make all the difference.

At OrthoNeuro, our expert team of trained specialists is ready to help treat your stress fracture. Schedule an appointment at one of our 7 locations in the Greater Columbus area today!

Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Knee Specialist Today!

of our board-certified orthopedic knee specialists at one of our many convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus. We will evaluate your unique lifestyle and goals to determine which type of treatment is best for you.

Medically reviewed by Scott A. Smith, MD, FAAOS

Knee Specialists

IF YOU HAVE A SEVERE KNEE INJURY OR CHRONIC KNEE PAIN THAT REDUCES YOUR MOBILITY OR QUALITY OF LIFE, CONTACT ORTHONEURO TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION. OUR EXPERT ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS ARE ON HAND TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT YOUR KNEE PROBLEM.