Stress Fracture

How is the injury recognized?

A person with a stress fracture usually has pain that will not go away. It usually continues to get worse each time the activity is tried. This history, along with a physical exam, points to a diagnosis of stress fracture. X-rays of the painful bone are taken first, but they are often normal. Special imaging tests may be done in some cases. Imaging tests called MRIs and bone scans are commonly used.