posterior cortex stress fracture of tibia

I was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the posterior cortex of the stress fracture 7cm below the knee joint line. I was put on crutches for 2 week as weight bearing was particularly painful. I had some soft tissue swelling around the site and in particular around my pes bursa has become quite inflamed. The specialist said all the swelling is just a result of the bone stress. I am now transitioning back to walking again. Although the walking is not particularly painful if I don't do too much I have had some increase in swelling again and wanted to know whether this is an indication I still need to be completely non weight bearing or should I just use pain as my guide? Can stress fractures continue to heal while you are still weight bearing through the area?

If you were going to be conservative with the treatment of a tibial stress fracture which is probably wise, i would suggest you only increase weight bearing activity provided there is no increase in pain or swelling (which obviously may be an inflammatory response due to further tissue damage). You may be interested in checking out the above link for information on these injuries.

Hope that helps and good luck with recovery,

PhysioAdvisor
www.PhysioAdvisor.com.au