A stress fracture is a small break in a bone caused by an overuse injury. It happens when a bone experiences stress from too much impact, repetitive activity, or both. This is why stress fractures are more common in the lower extremities (legs and feet).
Some stress fractures may not heal or could turn into a full fracture. So, if you think you have one, it’s best to back off your activities and get it checked out. The good news: Not all lower extremity pain is a stress fracture. Take this quiz to help you sort through your symptoms to figure out if you have a stress fracture.
Search and compare options
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Mandy Armitage, MDMandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.
Edited by:
Karla Robinson, MDKarla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.
