One of the first symptoms described by patients with a metatarsal stress fracture is pain on the front part of the foot, typically felt after strenuous exercise, of which the individual is relieved as soon as they stop the activity. It is initially felt as a widespread painful sensation but then persists at the fracture's region. If the patient continues to engage in physical activity, the time required for the painful sensation to emerge becomes progressively less, thus discouraging the individual from performing any type of physical activity. At its most severe stage, a metatarsal stress fracture will cause pain and discomfort even while resting. Patients typically report a period preceding the aforementioned symptomatology, when they experienced pain on the fifth metatarsal (proximally).

In case of female athletes reporting such symptomatology, the existence of the athletic triad should be investigated (osteoporosis, amenorrhea and athletics [19] [20]).

• Pain

  It is initially felt as a widespread painful sensation but then persists at the fracture's region. [symptoma.com]

  The patient would typically experience pain and swelling across the top of the metatarsals. Pain would be mild in the morning. However, would get worse with weightbearing. When x-rays are negative these problems are still treated as a fracture. [southfloridasportsmedicine.com]

  May 6 - no walking, pain was better May 7 - walked 1 mile at lunch, foot was sore May 8 - walked 1.5 miles at lunch, no pain May 11-18 walked 2.5 miles at lunch all week, no pain May 19 - pain during walk at lunch, didn't walk the rest of the day, pain [sparkpeople.com]

  Metatarsal Stress Fracture Anatomy Metatarsal stress fractures have been associated with Cavus foot deformity Metatarsal Stress Fracture Clinical Evaluation Gradually worsening pain in the foot. [eorif.com]

• Inflammation

  Other causes of forefoot pain • Morton's neuroma (benign tumor of a nerve running between the metatarsals) • Metatarsalgia (painful and inflammation of the metatarsal bones and their soft tissue sheath) • Capsulitis (painful and inflammation of the joints [njfootdoc.com]

  Recommend medication for pain and inflammation. Use physical therapy in the later stages of healing. [thebarnclinic.co.uk]

  […] of the metatarsal bones and their soft tissue sheath) Capsulitis (painful and inflammation of the joints between the metatarsal bones and toes) Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons which course along the top of the foot) Dislocation of a joint between [podiatryclinicsyorkshire.co.uk]

  The MRI showed a whole bunch of inflammation in this one metatarsal. His doctor said, “Well, look at all the inflammation there. You have to stop running. You can’t do the race.” He was having pain when he was running. [docontherun.com]

  This ensures that one's foot is protected as it heals.The targeted compression the air cells apply boosts blood flow to the injury site, speeding the removal of inflammation and encouraging more rapid healing. [amazon.com]

• Severe Pain

  A 41-year-old female was seen in the foot clinic by a podiatrist for left foot pain. While walking on Sept. 14, 2010, she developed severe pain in her left foot after hearing a “snap.” [healio.com]

  Will the pain increase? Metatarsal stress fractures can begin as very small injuries which do not cause severe pain. However, if you carry on stressing the bone, the crack will often deepen and widen, becoming gradually more painful. [patient.info]

  […] stress fracture 3rd metatarsal 5/12/2010 1:51PM hasbeen3 Training for a marathon a few weeks ago I couldn't finish a run after severe pain bearing weight on my left foot. Went to the doctor the next day and he said I probably had a stress fracture. [letsrun.com]

  A non–weight-bearing, short leg cast can be used for one to three weeks in patients with severe pain. After four to eight weeks of treatment, pain typically resolves. Activities can then be gradually resumed. [aafp.org]

• Toe Pain

  Sesamoids are little bones the size of a bean that sit under your big toe. Pain underneath your big toe could signify a sesamoid stress fracture. It could also mean that the sesamoids are just a little upset, but not fractured. [howardluksmd.com]

• Hypertension

  Thirty two (55.2%) had underlying diseases that did not involve bone density (such as diabetes and hypertension). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Vascular Disease

  He has peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, poorly-controlled chronic diabetes. He has every bad medical problem on the planet. He’s taking about 30 different medications. [docontherun.com]

• Fracture

  The second and third metatarsal are the metatarsal locations most prone to stress fractures. This type of fracture makes up 20% of the total lower extremity fractures caused by exertion of stress. [symptoma.com]

  METHODS: Ten Royal Marine recruits with a history of third metatarsal stress fracture were compared with control subjects with no previous stress fracture occurrence. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Land closer to under your hips Learn more about stress fractures in runners here: Stress Fractures: The Ultimate Runner’s Guide FREE DOWNLOAD: MT Stress Fracture Rehab Guide [PDF] [kinetic-revolution.com]

• Osteoporosis

  Stress fractures can occur during sports activities, in overweight individuals, or in those with weakened bones such as osteoporosis. [mofoot.com]

  Since osteoporosis can progress without symptoms for many years a stress fracture may be the first sign of osteoporosis. A stress fracture which occurs, especially without a history of overloading, should be further evaluated. [sportsandortho.com]

  Stress fractures are also caused by osteoporosis, abnormal foot structure (such as high arches), or other foot deformities. Overstriding or running with a long stride can also lead to stress fractures. [podiatryclinicsyorkshire.co.uk]

  Stress fracture in a female athlete might be part of the Female Athletic Triad: namely, disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. [orthopaedicsone.com]

• Foot Pain

  A metatarsal stress fracture begins with general foot pain. As the condition worsens, the fracture will present a more constant metatarsal pain in the generalized area of the fracture. [greatmidwestfootandankle.com]

  In order to understand this condition it is important to understand the anatomy and function of the foot. Please read Foot Pain Info 's section on basic foot anatomy. [jointpaininfo.com]

  May 5 - foot pain was terrible, couldn't walk, started R.I.C.E. [sparkpeople.com]

  This content is for Ball of Foot Pain Course members only. Log In Register Post Views: 2,796 [anklecenter.com]

  Foot Pain Foot pain can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical attention. Find out when to see your doctor, and much more. Orthotics Many people use orthotics to improve the function and stability of their feet. [footvitals.com]

• Metatarsalgia

  Nissen KI (1948) Plantar digital neuritis; Morton’s metatarsalgia. J Bone Joint Surg Br 30:84–94 Google Scholar 6. Jarde O (1998) Morton’s metatarsalgia. Foot Ankle Surg 4:187–191 CrossRef Google Scholar 7. [link.springer.com]

  How to Self Treat Metatarsalgia The Physical Therapy Advisor. Embryology, Anatomy, and Normal Findings Radiology Key. Sesamoiditis: Cause and Treatment. Lateral Epicondylitis Tennis Elbow PhysioAdvisor. Top of Foot Pain Runner's World Community. [ragnonet.it]

  11: Ankle & Foot RAL-1005 Feet Foot x-rays Diagnostic Imaging III-Lower Extremity Trauma Msk MSK - Clinical Conditions - Ankle and Foot 400-500 Fractures for GP registrars 1-MSK Fundamentals Bone Trauma - lower extremity MINA Lower Extremity Trauma Metatarsalgias [radiopaedia.org]

  Other causes of forefoot pain • Morton's neuroma (benign tumor of a nerve running between the metatarsals) • Metatarsalgia (painful and inflammation of the metatarsal bones and their soft tissue sheath) • Capsulitis (painful and inflammation of the joints [njfootdoc.com]

  […] outcomes limited information available in literature Complications Malunion may lead to transfer metatarsalgia or plantar keratosis treat with osteotomy to correct deformity Please rate topic. [orthobullets.com]

• Sciatica

  – 17, 19 Symptoms include low back and/or buttock pain typically exacerbated by single leg hopping. 1 – 21 Sacral stress fractures are difficult to diagnose given the symptoms are representative of several injuries including low back, disk disease, sciatica [dovepress.com]

• Stroke

  Working on correcting my foot stroke (I under-pronate and land on the outside of my foot…aka where the fracture was located). -Still icing my foot after runs. If anything this just eases my mind. [myhealthyishlife.com]

The most basic difficulty in diagnosing a metatarsal stress fracture is that the plain x-ray often reveals no findings. At the initial stages of the fracture, namely during the first 2-6 weeks, radiographs may still appear normal [19] [21], and half of the cases never produce x-ray findings, even after 3 months have passed. The importance of a plain radiograph lies in its ability to differentiate a fifth metatarsal stress fracture from a true Jones fracture.

On the other hand, the most widely chosen method of imaging to detect a metatarsal stress fracture is the Technetium-99 (99m Tc) diphosphonate 3-phase bone scanning [22] [23], as it displays a 100% sensitivity and a lower specificity. It is able to illustrate a stress fracture even as soon as 24 to 72 hours after symptomatology has first been observed and can additionally distinguish stress fractures from stress reactions.

Lastly, an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can also be performed to detect a metatarsal stress fracture, with the MRI featuring greater specificity for the condition [24] [25] [26].

Often, a clinical diagnosis suffices and bone scanning or MRI are reserved when there is a need to make a prompt diagnosis. It is also recommended that women exhibiting metatarsal stress fractures undergo a bone density evaluation, as the fracture may be a first sign of osteoporosis.

Upon the diagnosis of a metatarsal stress fracture, the activity that has led to it should be discontinued. The patient is advised to wear a wooden-sole shoe and remain at rest in order to allow for the healing procedure to start. Elevation of the limb and compresses of ice are also recommended. Should there be no sign of symptom relief, the foot should be placed in a short walking cast. The types of activity allowed during the healing period involve bicycling or aqua running and any other type of physical activity that does not exert pressure on the foot.

Third and second metatarsal stress fractures normally require no other type of intervention and continuity is fully restored. Individual that have suffered a fifth metatarsal stress fracture and typically engage in increased physical activity may have to undergo a reparatory surgical procedure to correct the fracture using bone graft and/or screw fixation [27]. Should the patient be less active, the walking cast can be placed for six to eight weeks and the aforementioned surgical procedure is reserved for those who eventually develop a nonunion [28]. 

After the treatment plan has come to an end, the patient can resume daily activities and take care not to exert overuse of the affected foot. The activities of cycling and aqua running are also beneficial in this phase.

During the next period of time, physical activity should be increased at a rate of 10% per week, with resting periods inbetween. Any indication of relapse and recurring symptomatology is an sign for rest and less physical exertion.

In case of a persisting lack of continuity, surgical therapy may be applied [27]. Should the nonunion consist of fibrous material that does not cause symptoms and physical restriction, it may remain untreated, but any other case should be addressed surgically. In general, patients may need to be prescribed painkillers at the first stages of the healing process and should be advised not to re-engage in physical activity too soon, for fear of a relapsing stress fracture. The healing period lasts approximately from six to twelve weeks.

Metatarsal stress fractures affecting the first, second, third or fourth metatarsal normally recover to a full extent without any complications.

Regarding the fifth metatarsal, its state of hypoperfusion contributes to its diminished ability to recover its continuity after a stress fracture (nonunion), which is observed at a rate of 35-50% according to literary data.

Metatarsal stress fractures are a result of a repeated action carried out with this region of the body. Should the regional muscles become fatigued, they lose the ability to absorb physical stress and pressure, which are forced on the metatarsal bones [2] [10].

The continual weight and pressure caused by activity that allows for little rest time, thus rendering the location unable to heal, causes damage of microscopic extent. This happens because the actual force exerted on the foot is not adequate to cause an actual fracture. In the majority of the cases, metatarsal stress fractures are triggered by an unusual increase of athletic activity, either in frequency or duration; the metatarsal region is suddenly subject to new levels of pressure to which it was formerly unaccustomed and the balance between the force exerted and the force it is able to absorb is disturbed. Abruptly increased physical activity may lead to stress fractures even in individuals who are not professional athletes.

Data on metatarsal stress fractures is limited to  professional athletes or soldiers, as there are no formal studies regarding the general population. This type of fracture is considered to be the second most frequent type of damage sustained by athletes [11].

More specifically, the vast majority of metatarsal stress fractures affect the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal at a rate of nearly 90% [11] [12] [13], and amongst the sub-category of professional athletes, they constitute 10-20% of the injuries they sustain [14] [15]. As far as military personnel is concerned, 23% of the injuries reported are indeed metatarsal stress fractures [16].

The activity of walking exerts greater pressure on the second and the third metatarsal shafts, which accounts for these bones' greater susceptibility to stress fractures. Furthermore, another less possible location of microfracture is the fifth metatarsal, which is required to absorb more stress if a person raises the medial margin of the foot excessively when walking. It is also considerably hypoperfused and therefore challenging to treat, as its ability to recover is substantially impaired physiologically [17] [18].

It is important for doctors, athletes, coaches and parents to be informed of the existence of metatarsal stress fractures as they are a silent threat to the continuity of the foot bones. Professional athletes and coaches should take extra care in order to adapt training schedules in such a way, so as to include breaks and periods of rest. Upon the manifestation of any symptom similar to such a condition, the individual should rest and resume activity at a slower rate, building up the strenuous activity gradually, rather than abruptly.

The second and third metatarsal are the metatarsal locations most prone to stress fractures. This type of fracture makes up 20% of the total lower extremity fractures caused by exertion of stress [1] [2]. They are frequently observed in patients whose routine and occupation exerts great levels of stress on that region, like athletes, runners, soldiers and other military recruits, ballet dancers, as well as patients suffering from neuropathic conditions and rheumatoid arthritis [3] [4] [5]. Metatarsal bone fractures are challenging to treat conservatively and may also require surgery, as the bone continuity between the fragments may not be completely restored otherwise [6] [7] [8].

Metatarsal stress fractures may occur proximally, namely at the metatarsal base, or distally. They are caused either by prolonged exertion of stress on the area or by a sudden increase of the stress. Symptomatology usually includes tenderness at the location of the fracture and, possibly, pain due to axial loading of the metatarsal head [9]. Should such a microfracture be left untreated, symptoms deteriorate and it is also possible that it will lead to a clinically evident fracture.

Stress fractures are not actual disruptions of a bone's continuity, but micro-damage sustained from repetitive activity that stresses the mid-foot, or metatarsal bones.

In contradistinction to true fractures which happen when an instance of extreme force is exerted on the foot, in the sense of a severe fall or blow, stress fractures are formed silently, over a period of time. The foot relies on its musculature to protect underlying structures when a person engages in physical activity; should a person overuse the muscles, the latter become fatigued and the pressure is transferred to the metatarsal bones themselves. If these circumstances happen repeatedly, as in professional athletes, ballet dancers, people who walk long distances carrying weight or wearing inappropriate shoes, the metatarsal bones sustain considerable damage.

A person who has sustained a metatarsal stress fracture typically feels widespread pain at the front of the foot when they engage in physical activity. The pain stops when they rest, but upon resuming the activity, the pain is experienced earlier than before. If the condition remains undiagnosed and therefore untreated, an individual may be unable to perform any type of physical exercise at all.

X-rays typically show nothing abnormal during the first 2-6 weeks during which a person feels pain. The stress fracture can be definitively diagnosed at an early stage by performing a bone scan; however, most of the times, a clinical diagnosis suffices.

Treatment includes avoidance of physical exercise, rest, icy compresses and foot elevation, alongside a walking cast or crutches to help support a person's weight. Surgical procedures are performed in cases of fifth metatarsal fractures or fractures of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal that have failed to heal, even though the latter happens rarely.

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