Question

A patient of yours has recently been diagnosed with a 'stress fracture' of one of their metatarsals. It occurred after they started jogging daily following a long period of sedentary existence.

Explain to your patient, in your own words, what a 'stress fracture' is and why it occurred when it did.

Answer 1

Stress fracture are small cracks in bones that can even not be visualised by radiological examination.

This occurs due to sudden increase/overuse in physical activity.

It most commonly occurs in lower limb (most common in neck of 2nd /3rd metatarsal) due to weight bearing.

Commonly seen in athletes or a person who has suddenly increased physical activity.

This occurs because the bone doesn't have that much strength / adapted to bear so much of weight at once.