A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. Stress fractures
often develop from overuse, such as from high-impact sports like
distance running or basketball. Most stress fractures occur in
the weight-bearing bones of the foot and lower leg. Studies show
that athletes participating in tennis, track and field,
gymnastics, dance, and basketball are at high risk for stress
fractures. In all of these sports, the repeated stress of the
foot striking the ground can cause problems. Rest is the key
element to recovery from a stress fracture. A stress fracture is
an overuse injury. When muscles are overtired, they are no
longer able to lessen the shock of repeated impacts. When this
happens, the muscles transfer the stress to the bones. This can
create small cracks or fractures. The most common sites of
stress fractures are the second and third metatarsals of the
foot. Stress fractures are also common in the heel (calcaneus),
the outer bone of the lower leg (fibula), and the navicular, a
bone on the top of the midfoo