A stress fracture is a small break in the bone. In a stress fracture, a thin crack develops from repetitive force, which is usually caused by overuse. Most stress fractures occur in the bones of the foot and lower leg, which carry the weight of the body.
The most common locations of stress fractures are the second and third metatarsals of the foot. Stress fractures are also common in the heel, in the outer bone of the lower leg, and in the navicular (a bone in the top of the foot).
Stress fractures make up 2% of all sports injuries in athletes.
The symptoms of a stress fracture include the following:
If the stress fracture is not treated, the pain can become severe. The fracture can also become displaced (the fractured bone moves out of normal alignment)
When bones are involved in a new activity that can cause stress, such as a new exercise routine, they may have trouble adjusting. This can cause them to crack.
Other causes of stress fractures include the following:
If a stress fracture is not properly treated, serious problems may develop. For example:
