Definition
A fatigue fracture generally refers to a bone fracture (a fracture) that is not due to unnatural stress on the bone, but to prolonged overloading. Normally, fractures occur due to movements against the actual direction of force of the bone, for example when the bones of the lower leg deviate strongly to the left or right from the actual body axis. Fatigue fractures are caused by supposedly “normal” movements that are performed too frequently without sufficient regeneration. The heel is particularly often affected by this type of injury.
Causes
As already mentioned, the cause of a fatigue fracture of the heel, as with other overload fractures, is excessive stress on the bone. However, this alone is of course by far not the only factor contributing to the development. Not every major load results in a fatigue fracture.
Almost all patients suffering from a fatigue fracture of the heel have in common that they are exposed to high loads and only take a few, very short breaks. Without sufficiently long breaks, the body cannot regenerate itself and its bones sufficiently after strenuous training and becomes more susceptible to injuries of all kinds. In addition, there may be a form of nutrition that does not do justice to the type of stress and training.
Often there is a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or the body generally absorbs too few calories. Particularly at risk from this form of malnutrition are those who want to lose a lot of weight in a relatively short time and therefore do a lot of sport and eat very little. In the long run, the body’s own regeneration mechanisms cannot keep up with the pace and the smallest injuries, which are normal and unremarkable in the context of regular sporting activity, add up. Fatigue fracture occurs. In addition to the metatarsals, the heel is also frequently affected, since walking and running – and thus the strain on the foot – play an important role in many sports.
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