Metatarsal Stress Fracture: A Small Crack at the Metatarsal Bone

Metatarsal Stress Fracture: A Small Crack at the Metatarsal Bone

Metatarsal Bone

Metatarsal Stress Fracture: A Small Crack at the Metatarsal Bone

A metatarsal stress fracture is basically a small crack that has occurred at the metatarsal bone. The bone is located in your foot and a fracture could result from severe bruising in this bone. These stress fractures normally happen because of repeated activity and overuse of that part of the body. In most cases you would see athletes and runners suffering from such fractures, especially those who take part in sports where a lot of running is required such as basketball or football.

When else may they happen?

Stress fractures also occur whenever you change your activity pattern. It could be that you are trying a new exercise or it may also happen that you have increased the intensity of your exercises all of a sudden. It could be that you have changed the surface on which you had been doing your workouts – maybe previously you were jogging on the treadmill but now you are doing it outdoors. These fractures could also happen if your bones have been weakened by diseases such as osteoporosis. In such cases, even regular and everyday work may be sufficient to damage your bones.

Vulnerable bones in this case:

Normally, in these cases, the bones that bear the weight of your entire body such as the ones in your lower leg and feet area are the most vulnerable. This is because all through your life they have been repeatedly absorbing stress being put on them. Such forces are especially heightened during activities such as walking, jumping, and running.

Recovery of Metatarsal stress fractures:

One of the best ways to recover from a stress fracture is to rest for a sufficient period of time.
If you were to return too quickly to the activity that caused the injury in the first place it will have several bad effects at once. It can delay the healing process and at the same time heighten the risk of a total fracture. If a complete fracture actually happens it would take a lot longer to heal and it would take a longer time to return to these activities overall.

Description of the fracture:

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Thoughts and advice on foot health care from the Podogo team.