Doctors will choose a treatment based on the patient’s specific condition and there are no studies comparing the efficacy of these two treatments, but the vast majority of patients with fatigue fractures can be treated conservatively with good results and patients can usually return to normal activity within 6-8 weeks after the injury. Surgery may be more recommended to maximise fracture healing in patients who meet the following criteria.
Conservative treatment has failed and the fracture continues to progress.
The fracture does not heal or healing is delayed, and peri-fracture cysts form or harden.
Patients with high sporting demands, such as professional athletes and heavy workers.