What is a metatarsal stress reaction?
The initial weakening of the bone is called a stress reaction, which can develop into a stress fracture if repetitive loading continues. Stress fractures are common in runners, dancers, military personnel and other running and jumping sports.
What does a metatarsal stress reaction feel like?
Pain, aching, and tenderness that worsens during and after physical activity or movement. Relief from pain during periods of rest. Swelling on the ankle or top of your foot. Bruising and swelling at the site of the stress fracture.
How do you treat a metatarsal stress fracture?
Treatment of a metatarsal stress fracture requires a period of rest from your activity, usually at least 3-4 weeks. If there is pain with daily activities, you may need to use crutches or a walking boot for a short time until you can walk comfortably without pain. Ice can be helpful in reducing pain.
What causes stress reaction in foot?
Foot stress fractures are often caused by overuse or repetitive activities. Because of this, stress fractures are commonly seen in athletes, such as runners, soccer players, or dancers, but they can also be seen in normal people who have changed their daily activities.
Is walking OK with a stress fracture?
Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances.
How long does it take for a stress reaction in the foot to heal?
Many stress fractures of the foot or ankle will heel in 4 to 6 weeks. However, healing times vary, depending on which bone is broken. Some foot bones, such as the navicular or the fifth metatarsal, can take a much longer time to heal than do others.
What is a metatarsal stress fracture?
1 A metatarsal stress fracture is a hairline fracture in one of the long metatarsal bones in the foot. They occur through overuse or poor foot biomechanics. 2 Symptoms 3 Anatomy 4 Causes 5 Treatment. Pain in the forefoot which develops gradually over time. The pain will be usually be located towards the middle, or front of the foot.
What is the recovery time for metatarsal stress fracture?
Metatarsal stress fracture treatment Rest from weight-bearing activities as much as possible. Ideally, an X-ray should be taken at the beginning of the rest period. The rest period should normally be around 4 weeks to allow sufficient healing, after which a second X-ray should be taken.
What is a stress fracture?
Stress fractures are the partial or complete fracture of a bone as a result of sub-maximal loading. This injury is often compared analogously to fatigue fractures found in engineering materials such as bridges and buildings although some would argue that the mechanisms are different.