March Stress Fracture
(Stress Fracture, March; Stress Fracture of Metatarsal Bone; Fatigue Fracture)
by Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN
Definition
A march stress fracture is a small break in a foot bone which occurs without a major traumatic episode. The metatarsal bones of the foot are commonly afflicted by stress fractures. There are five metatarsal bones in each foot. They are located in the area between your toes and your ankle.
March Stress Fracture
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This condition can be treated. Contact your doctor if you think you may have a march stress fracture.
Causes
A march stress fracture is an overuse injury caused by repetitive stress to the foot. In previous years these were sometimes called march fractures because they were first seen in military recruits and still do occur in that group. They are more common in certain athletic events such as running, basketball, etc.
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of a march stress fracture. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
-
Participation in high impact sports
- Running
- Basketball
- Dancing
- Soldiers
- Feet with high arches
- Poor footwear
- Osteoporosis
- Female runners with amenorrhea (absent menstruation), osteoporosis, or an eating disorder
Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to a march stress fracture. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Foot feels better when resting
- Foot feels worse with activity
- Redness
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a specialist. An orthopedist focuses on bones. A sports medicine physician works on sport related injuries.
To search for a break in the bone the following tests may be done:
Treatment
Stress fractures are treated with rest and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You will need to rest your foot for 3-6 weeks. Your doctor may recommend crutches for a week or two so that you don’t put any weight on your foot. Sometimes a brace or cast is used for a short time to aid healing.
Once you are able to move without pain, your doctor will allow you to return to normal activities. Gradually increase your activity over several weeks.
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of a stress fracture, take the following steps:
- Wear shock-absorbing insoles when running or during other high-impact exercise.
- When starting a new sport or increasing your workout, do so gradually.
- Choose footwear that takes into account the specific sport and your type of foot.
RESOURCES:
American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org
American Academy
of Podiatric Sports Medicine
http://www.aapsm.org
American Physical Therapy Association
http://www.apta.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org/
REFERENCES:
Fractures, an overview. American Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00139&return_link=0 . Accessed November 17, 2008.
March fracture. DynaMed website. Available at: http://dynaweb.ebs... . Accessed November 17, 2008.
Metatarsal stress fracture. Merck Manuel website. Available at: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch324/ch324m.html . Accessed November 17, 2008.
Metatarsal stress fractures. Sports injury website. Available at: http://www.sportsi... . Accessed November 17, 2008.
What is a stress fracture and how should it be treated? American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine website. Available at: http://www.aapsm.org/ct0398.html . Accessed November 17, 2008.
Last reviewed September 2012 by John C. Keel, MD
Last Updated: 09/28/2012