than the original bone.Can you run through it?No. Any runner who attempts to run through a proven stress fracture probably needs their head examined, as the chances of worsening the injury are so high. Recovery timeA stress fracture usually recovers

-ray revealed a stress fracture. After six weeks of rest (I wasn’t immobilised in plaster during this time) I was told that the bone had repaired itself and would now be stronger than ever. Obviously, I am delighted to be able to run once more, but how can I

from a stress fracture. Muscle injuries and strains may occur between the bones, but you can often run with them, unlike a stress fracture.Self-treatmentRest! You may be able to swim or cycle as long as it doesn’t provoke pain, but running – which

(forefoot)Plantar FasciitisAnkle-area InjuriesAchilles RuptureAchille Rupture (partial)Ankle PainAnkle SprainPeritendinitis (Achilles)Achilles TendinitisLower-leg injuriesAnterior Compartment SyndromeCalf tearShinsplintsStress FracturesTibial Periositis

of the leg more than the front, runners often have overworked, tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. This can lead to four specific lower-leg injuries – calf pulls, shin splints, stress fractures and compartment syndrome.A calf pull (also called a strain

of the leg more than the front, runners often have overworked, tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. This can lead to four specific lower-leg injuries – calf pulls, shin splints, stress fractures and compartment syndrome.A calf pull (also called a strain

to prevent another fracture should you have a similar accident again.Runners are plagued by the stress fracture – to picture one, think of a crack in a china cup. The fracture occurs as a result of overuse and repeated stress to a bone, and the broken

overgrowth can occur in chronic cases.Medical investigationsProbably unnecessary, except to exclude differential diagnoses.Differential diagnosesBoth stress and complete fractures equal a calcaneal bursa in intensity and pain, so must be eliminated by x

to heal.What else could it be?There is a long list of possible alternatives, including: stress fractures, muscle pulls and tears, tibial periostitis, nerve and artery entrapment and blockage, referred pain from a lumbar disc, infections, tumours

, causing swelling of the nerve along with the pain.What else could it be?Pain over the metatarsal heads (metatarsalgia), a stress fracture of the bone, or tendinitis may mimic the pain, while conditions varying from diabetes to multiple sclerosis could