Causes of hair fracture and what recovery looks like

A hair fracture (also known as the stress fracture) is a crack in a bone that occurs most often from overcuising, as a sudden increase in physical activity. However, a hair fracture can also occur from trauma or weak bones due to an underlying medical condition.

Hair fractures can be difficult to diagnose because it does not always appear on X -rays, and their symptoms are similar to other conditions, such as sprained or strain. They can take several weeks to heal, depending on the severity of your injury.

Causes of hair fractures

1. Repetitive stress of physical activities

The most common cause of hair fractures is repetitive stress on a bone during physical activities, in particular high impact forms such as running or jump. These injuries generally occur after a sudden increase in the intensity of an active activity or time.

2. Trauma or sudden impact

Hair fractures can occur by trauma or sudden impact strong enough to break the bone but not break it throughout. They can occur with falls, injuries or a direct blow to a particular part of the body.

3. Weak bone due to osteoporosis or other conditions

Hair fractures can occur in weakened bones due to osteoporosis or other conditions. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in bone density, which makes the bones more thin and more likely to break.

Osteoporose hair fractures most often affect vertebrae, stacked bones that make up the spine.

The other conditions which can cause weak bones include:

Hair fracture risk factors

Hair fractures are more likely to occur if you participate in high impact activities that require a race and a jump.

Other risk factors for hair fractures include:

• Advanced age
• Alignment of bones in your feet and lower limbs
• Balance problems (increasing your chances of falling)
• Biomechanics (body movements)
• Breeding of the white breed
• Exercise when you are tired
• Sex (women are more at risk, due to hormonal changes that affect bone density)
• Genetic
• Have tight or weak muscles
• History of injuries
• Medical conditions that weaken your bones
• Nutrition and deficiency in relative energy
• Poorly suitable, worn or poorly amortized shoes
• Run or stand on hard surfaces (such as concrete) for prolonged periods

Hair fractures symptoms

Symptoms of hair fractures are similar to those of other injuries, such as sprains, muscle stumps or bruises.

Symptoms may include:

• Bruising
• Feel a hard bump when you push the affected area
• Box / Difficulty walking
• Pain in a specific location
• Pain that often improves with rest
• Rigidity
• Swelling

How a hair fracture is diagnosed

A health care provider combines your symptoms through physical examination. They can press the affected area to understand where it is tender and help them make a diagnosis.

If they suspect a fracture, the health care provider will order imaging, such as:

• radiography
• Tomodensitometry (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

If a supplier suspects that you have an underlying condition weakening your bones, which makes you subject to fractures, it can recommend additional tests.

Treatment and recovery

Healing without surgery

Conservative treatment of hair fractures may include:

• Compression
• Ice to reduce pain and swelling
• Immobilization (like a scarf, a casting, a splint or a start -up)
• Drugs to reduce pain and inflammation
• Rest of painful activities
• Use of walking aid (if necessary), such as crutches, to eliminate the pressure from the bone

Once the bone healed, you may need physical therapy to help regain your amplitude of movement and strength. Physiotherapy can also help correct force imbalances or biomechanical problems that may have contributed to the development of stress fracture.

In general, hair fractures take six to eight weeks to heal. It is also important to gradually return to activity once the fracture heals to avoid other injuries.

Healing with surgery

If a hair fracture does not heal well, you may need surgery to provide additional bone support. Surgery for a fracture generally involves placing pins, stems, screws or plates in the bone to keep it together and promote healing in the right position.

Physiotherapy is often necessary to help resume movement, strength and functioning after surgery for a hair fracture.

Prevent hair fractures

Hair fractures cannot always be avoided, especially when an injury or trauma causes them. However, you can take measures to prevent hair fractures that occur from overuse.

Follow these tips:

• Eat enough fuel to support all your activities
• Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Rest sufficient
• Gradually increase the intensity and time during the exercise, but do not increase the intensity and time during the same week (for example, increase the intensity by 10% a week, then the following week maintains the intensity but increases time by 10%)
• Improve your strength and flexibility
• Include low impact activities in your exercise routine
• Stop exercising if you have pain
• Wear support shoes designed for your specific activity and replace them when worn or as often as recommended for your given sport

If you have an underlying medical condition affecting bone health, discuss processing options with a health care provider.

When to see a supplier

If you suspect that you may have a hair fracture, consult medical care. Continue to put pressure on the affected bone can cause other damage. If you cannot gain weight on the affected part of your body, see an immediate doctor.

See a health professional if you have suffered an injury and your symptoms do not improve after a few days of home remedies such as ice, rest, compression and elevation.

Summary

Hair fractures are small cracks that can develop in an injured bone. They are most often caused by overuse, such as suddenly increasing the intensity or frequency of exercise activities. However, they can also be caused by trauma, injuries or a side effect of an underlying medical condition, such as osteoporosis.

Hair fractures generally heal with conservative treatment, including activity rest, within six to eight weeks. Less frequently, surgery is necessary.