This is also occasionally seen in new military recruits who are not used to a formal daily training routine. It can also be seen in individuals involved in an aggressive high impact dance aerobics class. The repetitive stressing of the bone results in microfractures which are responsible for the pain. The most common location is in the upper leg bone, but occasionally similar type problems are encountered across the metatarsal bones of the forefoot or in the heel bone of the hindfoot. In nearly all cases, a sudden change in activities is responsible for the problem.
Treatment depends upon an accurate diagnosis.
Patients should also be evaluated for other conditions such as tendinitis or shin splints that may be responsible for a similar type of pain. Routine x-rays are often negative in the early stages of these conditions. A specialized test, known as a bone scan, measures blood flow to the injured area. Often a bright line will appear on the scan localizing the stress fracture. Treatment is basically conservative with avoidance of running activities.