Metatarsals are the long bones of the foot that run from the toes to the ankle. There are five metatarsals in each foot. A stress fracture is a break in a bone that is caused by a repetitive stress placed on it. Many athletes, especially runners, are prone to metatarsal stress fractures. Since most often individuals do not realize a fracture has occurred, recognizing the symptoms of the break is important.
Pain
The first symptom of a metatarsal stress fracture is a slow, steady increase in pain. Pain will be located at the site of the . The top of the foot is the most painful.
Intensity
The pain increases with walking and running or with any other activity that bends the foot. Inactivity helps the pain.
Tenderness
The top of the foot will be tender when touched along where the stress fracture has occurred.
Edema
Oftentimes there will be a small amount of swelling to the foot, especially to the forefoot.
Warning
The fracture will usually not present itself on an x-ray until several weeks after the fracture happens. The healing process tends to show itself later, and that is what is normally seen on an x-ray weeks later.
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