Metatarsal Breaks

What are metatarsal injuries?

What?
Metatarsal injuries are common in athletes and usually occur as a result of a direct blow to the foot or as stress fractures.

Who?
Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Gary Neville have all picked up the same injury.

Where?
Metatarsals are the five long bones in the forefoot.

How?
These bones can be fractured through impact (eg: someone stamping on your foot) and through over use (stress fractures).

Symptoms?
Pain in the bone during exercise and swelling and tenderness in foot.

Treatment?
Rest. May be asked to wear walking boots or stiff-soled shoes to protect it while it heals.

Recovery?
Between 4 and 6 weeks.