Stress Fracture

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is an overuse injury that can occur in the foot and ankle. When muscles are fatigued and are unable to absorb added shock, bones are more vulnerable to getting injured. Eventually, the bone will crack and this is known as a “stress fracture.” It commonly occurs in the metatarsals of the foot.

Causes

Stress fractures occur as a result of overuse injuries. These include situations in which there is too much intensity during exercise, when the advancement of activity is too rapid or when conditions during activities change. For example, it can occur to a football player who has changed to more flexible foot gear or when a person takes starts to increase the speed at which they are running when their body is not used to it.

Symptoms

• Sharp pain
• Limping
• Swelling / bruising 

Diagnosis

Your foot and ankle doctor will examine your feet in detail after taking a thorough history from you. X-rays are ordered routinely but sometimes a stress fracture may not be seen for weeks after the initial injury. Bone scans, CT scans and MRIs can also be ordered when it is necessary.