What is a stress fracture of the foot?
A stress fracture foot can occur as a result of prolonged repeated loads on the legs. Long distance runners are susceptible to this type of injury. Symptoms include:
- Pain in the affected bone during exercise.
- Tenderness and swelling at a point on the bone.
A stress fracture in athletes occurs mainly in the lower leg and foot (in the calcaneus, navicular and metatarsal bones). A stress fracture of the 2nd or 3rd metatarsal bone is sometimes called a 'march fracture' because soldiers running in boots often get it!
