Stress Fracture at 3rd Metatarsal of the Foot
Stress fracture (also referred to as hairline fracture) is a fracture whereby the bone is still intact and has not broken into 2 pieces yet. Hence, it cannot be picked up on X-ray or CT-scan. The bone scan is most sensitive in picking up stress fractures which can occur with trauma or spontaneously without trauma especially with underlying osteoporosis.
Pain and swelling is the most usual presentation. It is important for the diagnosis to be made as referral to physiotherapy will only worsen the pain and do more harm than good.
So remember to have a bone scan to exclude a stress fracture if the pain in the foot persists and X-ray is normal.
