When is physiotherapy recommended for stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a small area of bone injury caused by repeated loading. During the early phase, rest from impact and any prescribed support may be more appropriate than strengthening through pain. Physiotherapy becomes useful as symptoms settle and the clinician feels the bone is ready for controlled loading.

The therapist may check walking or running mechanics, joint movement, muscle strength, balance, and the way activity was increased. The programme is adjusted to the affected area, such as the foot, shin, hip, or other weight-bearing region.

Begin with the activities your clinician has cleared. Rehabilitation may move from comfortable range-of-motion work to strength, balance, and low-impact conditioning, then to impact drills when appropriate. Increase one part of the workload at a time and monitor symptoms later that day and the following morning.

Do not test the fracture by running, hopping, or returning to sport early. Wear recommended footwear or support and tell the therapist if pain becomes more focused, appears at rest, or changes your walking pattern. A gradual plan reduces the chance of repeatedly overloading the healing bone.

Arrange prompt review if pain is worsening despite reduced activity, swelling is increasing, you cannot bear weight as advised, or pain occurs at rest or at night. Seek urgent care after a new injury with deformity, severe pain, or loss of sensation or circulation in the limb.

Ask when weight-bearing is allowed, which impact activities remain restricted, what signs show healing is progressing, and how physiotherapy will be advanced. Clarify whether footwear, a boot, crutches, or a follow-up scan is part of your plan.