What Is a Stress Fracture?
A stress fracture is a small crack or area of severe bruising within a bone, caused by repetitive force rather than a single traumatic event. In the foot and ankle, stress fractures most commonly develop in the metatarsal bones, heel, fibula, and ankle bones (including the talus and navicular).
They’re one of the most common overuse injuries we see at our clinic, affecting runners, team sport athletes and anyone who’s recently increased how much time they spend on their feet.
Common Causes of Stress Fractures
Stress fractures develop when bone breaks down faster than the body can repair it. Typical triggers include:
- A sudden increase in training load, frequency, or duration
- Returning to sport or exercise too quickly after time off
- Changing your training surface (e.g. treadmill to road, grass to hard court)
- Worn-out or unsupportive footwear
- Abnormal foot mechanics (flat feet, high arches or an uneven gait)
- Low bone density or vitamin D deficiency
Signs You May Have a Stress Fracture
- Gradual onset of foot or ankle pain that worsens with walking or running
- A bruise or swelling on the top of the foot or outer ankle
- Localised tenderness when pressing on a specific spot
- Ankle pain that develops during activity and eases with rest (then returns afterwards)
- Pain that progressively worsens over days or weeks if activity continues
Stress fractures don’t always show on X-ray in the early stages. An MRI or bone scan is often needed for accurate diagnosis (something our podiatrists can refer you for directly).
How We Treat Stress Fractures
Stress fracture treatment varies depending on the location and severity of the injury. Your podiatrist will:
- Assess and confirm the injury — through physical examination and imaging referral if required
- Offload the fracture — using a moon boot, stiff-soled footwear or activity modification to protect the bone while it heals
- Review your footwear and foot mechanics — to identify what drove the injury and reduce re-injury risk
- Prescribe a structured return-to-activity plan — a staged program so you can get back to sport or exercise safely
- Provide custom orthotics if indicated — to improve load distribution and support long-term foot health
Most stress fractures heal within six to eight weeks with appropriate management.
Why Choose Highett Podiatry?
We don’t just treat the fracture, we look at why it happened. Our podiatrists assess your movement patterns, training load, footwear and bone health to build a plan that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
We offer appointments at both our Highett and Mentone locations, with direct access for imaging when needed.