An area of weakness in the bone can develop into a stress fracture if the weak area of the metatarsal is repeatedly stressed.Ī recent change in training can often be a factor in the development of a stress fracture. If the new bone formation is slower than the resorption (removal) of the old bone, weak points occur at areas of stress within the metatarsal. These damaged areas of bone are then resorbed (removed) and replaced with new bone. If stress is put on a metatarsal, areas of the bone can become damaged. This is necessary for it to keep up with your demands on it. When a metatarsal is loaded or stressed, such as during weight-bearing exercise, it responds by increasing its bone turnover. Stress fractures of the metatarsals are caused by an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption (removal). Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Above: Soft tissue massage applied to the bones and connective tissue on the anterior portion of the foot THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!ĭue to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. Assessment of bone mineral density with tests such as DEXA scans are important in these athletes as well as athletes with a history of prior stress fracture.Ĭlick here to go to Dr. Teenage female athletes can also be at risk for these injuries if they have poor nutritional status and menstrual irregularities. Athletes with osteoporosis, such as postmenopausal females, are at risk. Prevention of stress fractures is also important to emphasize to the athlete. This surgical treatment is especially advocated for fifth metatarsal fractures in soccer players and other high-level athletes. Surgery for these fractures usually involves placing a screw inside the bone. The most common metatarsal stress fracture for which surgery is recommended is one at a specific location on the fifth metatarsal, which is the metatarsal toward the outside of the foot. Depending on the location, though, some fractures might require surgical treatment. Avoiding the offending activity, protecting the foot with a boot or protective shoe, and possibly decreasing the patient’s weight-bearing status usually helps the fracture to heal without surgery. The treatment of a metatarsal stress fracture is most often nonoperative. Treatment of a metatarsal stress fracture Several weeks later the physician would repeat the x-rays and determine if a stress fracture is present at that point. He or she might also choose to wait for several weeks and restrict the athlete’s activities. If the physician is fairly concerned about the possibility of a stress fracture, he or she may order a bone scan or MRI. Early on in the process, even if the stress fracture is present, an x-ray can be negative. There may be some swelling at this location, but often the foot looks normal. As it gets even more serious, progressing to a stress fracture, activities of daily living, such as walking, become painful.Įxamination of the injured foot by a sports medicine physician usually reveals a very specific point of tenderness at the stress fracture site. As the problem gets worse, the pain often starts earlier and earlier in the training session, and often the pain will continue despite rest from the activity. Often the athlete will say that the pain comes on after a certain amount of time and goes away with rest. He or she will usually note pain that has been increasing as training or competition has increased. Usually the athlete will not remember a specific injury that initiated the symptoms. Stress fractures are painful injuries to runners and dancers, and they significantly limit the athlete’s ability to participate in those sports. They are prone to overuse injuries, especially in running sports and dancing. The metatarsals are the long bones in the middle of the foot.
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