Stress Fractures

When we talk about stress fractures, we refer to small cracks in the bone. Pain and swelling gradually give way to chronic pain. Hard court surfaces, such as asphalt, place excessive stress on the bones of the lower extremities, particularly the feet. Stress fractures are less common on clay or grass courts.

In addition to hard surfaces, stress fractures are often associated with fast training programs. Fatigue of the muscles, especially in the tarsal bones of the feet (such as the tarsal navicular), leads to increased stress and the typical pattern of fractures. The second metatarsal is the most commonly affected bone in the foot. However, stress fractures can also occur in the long bones of the legs.

The most important way to prevent stress fractures is to engage in thorough warm-up and stretching exercises before intense play, along with appropriate strength and endurance training programs. Additionally, taking short rest breaks during intense training sessions can be preventive.