Ankle stress fractures are a tiny crack in an ankle bone, usually caused by overuse and repetitive activity. Stress fractures are common in runners and athletes who participate in running sports, like soccer and basketball.

Stress fractures can also happen when you try a new exercise or work out more intensely. If your bones are weak from osteoporosis or other diseases, everyday activities can cause a stress fracture.

A stress fracture can turn into a completely broken bone it’s not treated.

Pain in the foot or ankle is the most common symptom of a stress fracture. The pain:

• Starts slowly and gets worse over time.
• Is worse when you do your normal activities.

Other symptoms are:

• Swelling.
• Bruising (sometimes).

If you think that you or someone else has an ankle stress fracture, see your doctor promptly. Untreated, a stress fracture could turn into a completely broken bone.

Treatments include:

• Walking boot, brace, or crutches to reduce stress on your foot and leg while the stress fracture heals.
• Cast to keep the foot and leg from moving, for some types of stress fractures.
• Surgery to hold the bones together during while they heal. The surgeon usually needs to use pins, screws, and plates to hold the bones together. Surgery is occasionally necessary.