What is a stress reaction in the tibia?
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is an overuse injury or repetitive-stress injury of the shin area. Various stress reactions of the tibia and surrounding musculature occur when the body is unable to heal properly in response to repetitive muscle contractions and tibial strain.
Where do most tibial stress fractures occur?
Stress fractures of the tibia are especially common in sports involving running and jumping. In children, tibial stress fractures usually occur in the anterior proximal one third of the bone, whereas in adults, the junction of the middle and distal one thirds seems to be the most prevalent site.
How do tibial stress fractures occur?
What causes Stress Fracture of the Tibia? Stress fractures of the tibia are typically caused by too much stress placed on the tibia and surrounding muscles. This injury usually happens due to repetitive, high-impact exercise over a long period of time.
How do you treat a stress reaction in the tibia?
Immediate steps
- taking a break from high-impact activity until you’re fully healed.
- elevating your leg and applying ice for 10 minutes to ease pain and swelling.
- taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medicine.
- using crutches to keep weight off your shin while you heal.
- physical therapy.
What is the treatment for tibial stress fracture?
Patients with tibial stress fracture may use a pneumatic compression device to reduce the time to resumption of full activity. Bone stimulators should not be used for the treatment of most stress fractures. Shock-absorbing orthotics and footwear modification may reduce the occurrence of lower extremity stress injury.
How is a stress fracture of the tibia treated?
Are tibia stress fractures common?
Tibial fractures are the most common lower extremity stress fracture,1,3 accounting for approximately one half of all stress fractures in children and adults. Stress fractures of the tibia are especially common in sports involving running and jumping.
Can you walk with a stress fracture in the tibia?
Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances.
How long does a tibial stress reaction take to heal?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines may be suggested to help relieve pain and swelling. To reduce stress on your leg, protective footwear or crutches may be necessary. Surgery is also an option. In most cases, it takes 6 to 8 weeks for a stress fracture to heal, when surgery is not required.