A sharp pain in a very specific area over a bone in a leg or foot while
walking, running, or jumping may be caused by a “lower extremity
stress fracture.” Relatively common among athletes playing sports
involving actions that repeatedly impact the bone, these “hairline”
bone fractures require a thorough examination (including gentle
physical tests and a review of contributing factors such as muscle
strength and flexibility, joint stiffness, the quality of footwear, injury
events, and a sudden increase in activity level). Once diagnosed,
avoiding activities that stress the legs for at least three weeks may help the bone heal. The physical therapist can supervise muscle-
strengthening exercises for the lower extremities and core, stretching exercises, and alternative cardiovascular training.