Stress Fractures - Metatarsal

Metatarsal Stress Fracture

Runners push off from their toes, putting great stress on the metatarsal heads. The 1st metatarsal or stress fracture is isually immune to fracture because it is much thicker and stronger than the others. The 5th metatarsal is relatively immune because the major force of "toeing off" comes from the first 2. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals are usually susceptible because of their thin diaphyses.

Stress Fracture Symptoms, Signs and Diagnosis

Patients usually present with fore foot pain, often during a long or intense workout, which disappears within seconds of stopping exercise. On successive exercising, the metatarsal pain returns earlier than previously, ultimately becoming so severe that it may prohibit exercise and persist even with the patient lying in bed. Palpating the swollen area causes pain at the facture site. An x-ray usually is not sensitive enough to diagnose the stress fracture until a callus forms 2 to 3 wk after the Metatarsal stress fracture injury.

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