Stress Fractures and Seeking Treatment [Video]

About the video: What is a stress fracture, and when should I seek treatment?

Summit Orthopedics’ foot and ankle experts Michael Anderson, D.O. and Tracy Rupke, M.D. explain what a stress fracture is, and when you should seek treatment.

Meet Dr. Tracy Rupke

Dr. Rupke’s approach: “I am dedicated to providing the best care possible for my patients. I love running and understand every patient’s desire to return to their own life and activities.”

Dr. Rupke’s background: Much of Dr. Rupke’s training and education took place in Ontario, Canada. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, earned her medical degree at Queen’s University in Kingston, and underwent residency training at the University of Ottawa. There she also completed a Sports Medicine fellowship, and she went on to train in the University of Washington’s Foot and Ankle Surgery fellowship program at  Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

Meet Dr. Michael Anderson

Dr. Anderson’s approach: “Foot and ankle problems affect people from all walks of life. Whether your goal is to get back to competitive sports, live a more active life, resume work or enjoy time with family and friends, I’m here to help.”

Dr. Anderson’s background: After completing his undergraduate studies at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Dr. Anderson attended the Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois to earn his medical degree. Following his residency as part of the the Orthopedic Surgery program at Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals in Clinton Township, Michigan, he went on to train at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York through their Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery fellowship.

Summit Orthopedics offers personalized foot and ankle expertise

Our fellowship-trained foot and ankle physicians understand that your mobility depends on the health of your feet and ankles. If you have suffered an injury or are experiencing symptoms that make walking painful, our team of foot and ankle specialists can help with conservative treatment, seasoned surgical teams, and expert rehabilitation support. Summit Orthopedics specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely get you back on your feet and on your way.

Start your journey to optimal foot health. Find your foot and ankle expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

More resources for you

• Ask Dr. Anderson: Could I Have a Heel Fracture?
• Tips To Treat Ankle Sprains
• Watch the video: Introducing Tracy Rupke, M.D.

Video Transcription

Stress fractures are the body’s reaction to abnormal stress going through their foot or ankle. It can be caused by a sudden increase in training intensity, duration, or sometimes bone problems like not enough calcium or vitamin D in your diet. Now typically stress fractures in the foot, generally the pain is on the top of the foot. There may or may not be much in the way of swelling, but there’s usually tenderness, meaning that if you push on the area, it is sore to touch. And so if you’ve had a change in activity, been doing a little bit more, and developed pain that hurts when you walk or certainly hurts more when you try to run on it, that’s concerning for a stress fracture. Sometimes those can be seen on X-rays; sometimes it requires an MRI to decide whether or not there is a stress response or a stress fracture there. So if you’re having a vague pain in your foot or have noticed pain after a sudden change in your workout, it’s important to be seen by doctor to get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.

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