When to seek assessment
An assessment is useful when pain keeps returning with the same activity, persists or worsens. Its location, changes in training or work, and any tingling or weakness matter. Persistent, localised bone pain needs assessment for a possible bone stress injury.
What an assessment involves
A discussion of your activity load and a clinical examination guide the next steps. Imaging is selected according to the findings, rather than used in every case. Similar symptoms can have different causes: overuse alone is not a final diagnosis.
Planning a return to activity
A plan may include adjusting activities, targeted exercise and changes to working habits. If a bone stress injury is suspected, the painful area needs protection as advised by a clinician. Loading is reintroduced gradually, based on symptoms and the type of injury.