Ankle and Foot Conditions #2

Stress fractures could be considered "fatigue" fractures.  Bone is a living structure that reacts to force and tension.  Bone responds to increased activity by producing new bone, and vice versa when not active.  Unfortunately, there can come a time in which the bone is unable to adapt fast enough thus we see a fracture. Stress fractures have several characteristic xray findings: - periosteal reaction - cortical thickening - unicortical crack - bicortical fracture
1st Metatarsal
Lesser Metatarsal		This is a great example of how multiple stress fractures occur like a chain reaction.  Beginning with the 3rd metatarsal then progressing lateral to the 4th and then 5th.  The age of the fractures are determined not just by the symptoms but by the bone callous.  There is significantly more callous on the 3rd, then the 4th.  There is no callous on the 5th.  All three represent bicortical stress fractures.
Cuboid