Your podiatrist will guide you to the degree of rest required, depending on the nature and severity of your fracture.īelow is a selection of other treatments Dan Everson Podiatry recommends for this condition: People with Metatarsal Stress Fractures must ensure they rest the area as much as possible. X-rays may be recommended for severe cases or at a later stage of the injury. Diagnosisĭan Everson Podiatry can diagnose a Metatarsal Stress Fracture through an examination of the area along with a bone scan that will provide a precise image of the fracture and can confirm the injury in very early stages. Swelling and tenderness around the area is often also experienced, with a sharp pain felt when pressure is applied to the metatarsal. When nerve sensation in the feet is weakened due to neurological issues such as diabetes.Ī person with a Metatarsal Stress Fracture will often experience a progressive pain in the front foot that gets worse when undergoing activities which bear weight on the foot such as walking and running.When the metatarsal bones weaken due to weakening of the bones through conditions such as osteoporosis.When the foot rolls inwards excessively during walking or running, which results in the lower leg also turning inwards.Not allocating enough rest time between activities or suddenly increasing the.The foot being stepped on or kicked, or having something dropped onto it.Landing on a hard surface from a height.Poor quality footwear that doesn’t provide enough support.A second toe being longer than the first.Excessive weight bearing activities such as running, sprinting, jumping or dancing.The most common causes of this condition are:
With appropriate care management, most people recover fully from a fracture of this type within three to nine months. Metatarsal Stress Fractures are often caused by contact sports, and can be experienced by athletes, dancers and runners. The second metatarsal (closest to the big toe) is most often impacted, as this is the bone that absorbs the most pressure during movement. When the pulling forces placed on these bones through the attached muscles becomes excessive, damage to the bones can gradually occur or can be caused by a sudden force that can result in a Metatarsal Stress Fracture. Weight bearing activity places weight through the metatarsal bones.
#STRESS FRACTURE CRACK#
A Metatarsal Stress Fracture is a common injury impacting athletes and is caused by an incomplete crack in one of the metatarsal bones of the forefoot.