If you feel swelling and tenderness in a certain part of your body, you may be suffering from a stress fracture. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bones. They occur most often in the weight-bearing bones of the leg. Don’t ignore leg, foot or knee pain. Hilo, HI-based orthopedic surgeon, Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., treats stress fractures and educates you about how they happen.

Stress fractures are often the result of overuse. This occurs, for example, when a patient begins a new activity. The bones may not be adapted to these new uses and stresses. As a result, they crack. Excessive use of your body occurs during exercise, job duties, long walks or wearing ill-fitting shoes. If there is a change such as a move to a new location or a vacation, this also causes stress fractures. Oftentimes, sports activities that require repetitive motions, such as running and jumping, lead to stress fractures as well. People with osteoporosis are at an even higher risk for stress fractures and even the simplest activities may lead to problems.

If you are experiencing leg, foot or knee pain and you've changed your physical routine recently, it's time to go to an orthopedic doctor to get an examination. This will most likely include X-rays and possibly other diagnostic tests. Stress fractures are treated by stopping or reducing the activity causing them. It may also be necessary to wear special shoewear. If these measures are not helping, patients often turn to orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Matsuura’s approach to treating stress fractures and other conditions is to discover the treatment that works best for each individual. This ranges from lifestyle changes to surgery. His passion for his Ohana (family) and community, as well as his extensive training, has helped provide patients the widest and most effective treatments for stress fractures.

To heal your stress fractures, go to a doctor with a strong track record and reputation that speaks for itself. Call Peter A. Matsuura, M.D. in Hilo, HI, at (808) 969-3331. You can also visit the website for more information.