A 47-year-old member asked:
what is the difference between a stress fracture on the metatarsal and one on the metatarsalgia?
4 doctor answers
Dr. Eric Bluman answered
23 years experience Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Good question: A stress fracture is a nondisplaced fracture of the bone that occurs after repeated microtrauma. It may be hard to see on standard x-rays. Metatarsalgia is a fairly nonspecific term that refers to pain underneath the metatarsal heads where the toes meet the foot. There can be multiple causes for both of these
see a orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. www.orthodoc.aaos.org/footankle.
Answered on Jun 6, 2018
Dr. Corinne Kauderer answered
36 years experience Wound care
Metatarsal pain: Metatarsal pain can be caused by stress fractures. The term metatarsalgia just means inflammation of the metatarsals. You need x-rays and to be evaluated by your podiatrist.
Answered on May 8, 2019
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Dr. Thomas Inwood answered
35 years experience Podiatry
Stress fracture: Stress fracture is a term from ww 2 . Men were inducted , sent on forced marches with heavy packs and having pain. X rays were negative until 2-3 weeks went by and healing line seen . That was the fracture line. These became known as stress fractures as other doctors learned of this . Metatarsalgia is a catch all term for forefoot pain at the met head area for many reasons.
Answered on Dec 27, 2013
Dr. Ronald Krauser answered
52 years experience Rheumatology
See details: A stress fracture is a fracture. Metatarsalgia is secondary to a nerve compression.
Answered on Dec 27, 2013
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A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Alan Ettinger answered
49 years experience Podiatry
Not the same: A stress fracture is a break in the bone.Metatarsalgia is a catch all diagnosis for pain in the metatarsals.
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A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Arnold Beresh answered
41 years experience Podiatry
See below: A stress fracture is a break in the bone.
Metatarsalgia is pain in the bones due to stress and may lead to a stress fracture.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Peter Ameglio answered
26 years experience Orthopedic Surgery
Nothing: The difference is in severity of pain. This is a more common cause of forefoot pain than morton's neuroma.
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A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Brandon Macy answered
41 years experience Podiatry
Not really.: Unless the bone is protruding through the skin in a severe fracture, you can't tell without an x-ray. Sometimes a sonogram or MRI is also used, but t ... Read More
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