• About UPMC |
• Hospitals & Facilities |
• Our Services |
• Find A Doctor |
• Your Visit |
• Managing Your Health |
• Careers at UPMC

What is a foot fracture?
How can I prevent a foot fracture?
Improving sports performance
Foot fracture rehabilitation for athletes

How can I prevent a foot fracture?
Upon return to activity following successful treatment of a foot fracture, intensity, and duration of training should be increased gradually. Should pain be experienced, even relatively mild pain, you should reduce the intensity and duration of activity.

Trying new training methods, such as running stadium steps or changing running surfaces, should be done with caution and temporarily avoided if pain persists. Shoes used in training should be in good condition and not showing deterioration of the foot support system.

As many foot fractures occur in athletes who train sporadically, regular exercise of proper duration and intensity may help prevent fractures. If training is suspended for some time, return to training at reduced intensity and duration and gradually work up to your previous levels.

Stretching the muscle and connective tissue of the legs and building strength of leg muscles also reduces the incidence of foot fractures in runners.

For runners who suffer repeated stress fractures, a biomechanical analysis of gait at UPMC's Center for Sports Medicine is recommended.

Improving sports performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from a foot fracture is a proper rehabilitation program, and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury is gone. Pay close attention to the prevention techniques listed above. These will not only keep you in the game, but will also help you perform better and with more confidence.