As mentioned on the previous page, our feet and legs are under constant pressure every day. The reasons that we sometimes suffer from stress fractures is due to a number of factors:

• Increase in activity, like a new exercise routine.
• Repetitive stress on the foot, for example, from playing sports regularly or hiking long distances.
• Weakened bones due to an underlying health condition.

There are also some less common reasons why a person can suffer foot fractures. The Mayo Clinic reports that women who have abnormal periods are more at risk than other women. Also, people with foot problems, like flat feet or rigid arches can suffer from stress fractures more.

The most common place to have a stress fracture in the feet is in the metatarsal bone. These are the 5 long bones in the middle of our feet. The "American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons" reports that from these 5 bones, a stress fracture of the metatarsal bones in the middle of the foot is the most common. This is because these are often thinner and longer than the other bones. However, stress fractures are also common in the long bone on the outside of the foot, as well as on the heel and the ankles. 

If you suspect you have a stress fracture, what are some of the symptoms?