There are a many bones in the foot which are susceptible to fractures. There are a different types of fractures that can be broadly classified as follows: Stress fractures, acute traumatic fractures and insufficiency fractures.
Stress Fractures
This is a small crack in a bone, or severe bruising within a bone, typically only detected via MRI. Most stress fractures are caused by overuse and repetitive activity, commonly affecting runners and athletes involved in running sports such as football and rugby.
They can occur when individuals alter their activities, such as by trying a new exercise, suddenly increasing the intensity of their workouts, or changing the workout surface (for example, jogging on a treadmill versus jogging outdoors). These types of fractures most frequently occur in the second and third metatarsals of the foot, which bear the greatest impact as you push off when walking or running.
Other common areas for stress fractures include the calcaneus (heel), fibula (the outer bone of the lower leg and ankle), talus (a small bone in the ankle joint), and navicular (a bone on the top of the midfoot).
Modifying activity and resting the affected area is essential to allow for proper healing.
Bone Insufficiency
Insufficiency fractures occur due to a weakness in the bone caused by medications or diseases.
Conditions that reduce bone strength and density, such as osteoporosis, and certain long-term medications, can increase the likelihood of fractures, even during normal everyday activities. For instance, fractures are more common in winter months when Vitamin D levels are lower in the body, and in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who have used steroids for an extended period.
Research indicates that female athletes are more prone to stress fractures than male athletes. This is partly due to decreased bone density from a condition known as the “female athlete triad.” When a girl or young woman engages in extreme dieting or exercise, three interrelated conditions may develop: eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, and premature osteoporosis. As a female athlete’s bone mass decreases, her risk of experiencing a stress fracture increases.
Traumatic Fractures
These fractures occur due to a sprain or fall in patients with normal bones. Most fractures in the foot can heal without surgery; however, some fractures do require surgical intervention.
The use of fracture boots and shoes nowadays allows patients to walk more freely while their fracture heals, often without the need for crutches.
