Metatarsal Stress Injuries
A stress injury occurs when the load applied to a structure is within the normal stress capabilities of that structure but it is repeated over a sustained period so that this low level loading eventually causes micro trauma and in the case of bone a stress fracture. Metatarsal stress reactions and fractures are most common to the 2nd metatarsal but not exclusively and will present with gradual increase in pain over a period of weeks.
Initial treatment will require offloading to allow healing but ultimately the causative factors need to be ascertained to prevent recurrence.
