Stress Fracture

I've been on the injured list FOREVER for one reason or another.  I've had what I thought were shin splints since April but it's still hurting after I quit doing everything for over a month and now I only occasionally ride and swim (less than 2-3 hrs a week).  Running has been out of the question since November then I tried to reintroduce it in April hence the shin splints.

It occured to me that maybe it's a stress fracture and not shin splints.  If it is do they do anything for it other than rest until it feels better or do they put you in a cast?