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Foot & Ankle

Stress Fracture of the Foot

Stress fractures in the foot are tiny cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force. The metatarsal bones are most commonly affected. They are frequent in runners who rapidly increase training volume.

⏱️
Typical Recovery Time
6-8 weeks

🔍 Symptoms

  • Localized pain that worsens with activity
  • Swelling and tenderness over a specific bone
  • Pain that improves with rest

⚡ Common Causes

  • Rapid increase in training volume
  • Running on hard surfaces
  • Poor footwear
  • Low bone density
  • Female athlete triad

💊 Treatment Options

1Rest and activity modification
2Protective footwear or boot
3Gradual return to activity
4Calcium and vitamin D supplementation
5Surgery in rare cases

🚨 When to See a Doctor

If you have localized bone pain that worsens with activity — stress fractures require imaging to diagnose.

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