A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone caused by repeating the same movement over and over. Most stress fractures heal within a few months with rest from the activity that caused it. Sometimes a cast, splint, brace, or boot is needed. Starting treatment right away is the best way to get kids back to full activity as quickly as possible. Follow these instructions as your child recovers.

• Follow your health care provider's recommendations for:
  • Care for the cast, splint, brace, or boot, if your child has one
  • Using crutches, if needed
  • Doing any exercises or going to physical therapy
  • Resting the area
  • Any changes in the diet or taking any vitamins
  • When to follow up to make sure the bone is healing
  • Activities your child can do to stay fit as they heal. (For example, if they have a stress fracture of the shoulder, they can still walk or run.)
• When your health care provider says it's OK, your child can slowly add activities. They should use pain as a guide for what's OK to do. An activity that doesn't cause pain (meaning your child doesn't need to take pain medicine to do it) is likely OK. 
• For pain and swelling:
  • If your health care provider says it's OK, you can give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often. Use the least amount of pain medicine needed — it's important to know if an activity hurts so that your child can avoid it.
  • Put ice wrapped in a towel placed on the area for about 20 minutes every 1–2 hours. 
  • Wrap an elastic bandage around the area.
  • Raise the injured area above the level of the heart.

Your child:

• has worsening pain
• doesn't improve after following the treatment plan

What causes stress fractures? Stress fractures usually happen from repeating the same movement over and over, such as when someone trains for a sport. For example, a gymnast may get a wrist stress fracture and a runner may get a foot stress fracture. Stress fractures also can happen from everyday activities in people whose bones are weak due to poor nutrition, eating disorders, or a medical condition. Stress fractures can take days or weeks to develop.

What are the symptoms of stress fractures? A stress fracture usually causes pain during activity. The pain may get better with rest at first, but then can become constant. A stress fracture may also cause tenderness and swelling.