Stress fractures of the foot, ankle and lower Leg
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repeated loading rather than one major injury. It most often affects the foot or lower leg and is common in running, jumping and dance.
What are stress fractures?
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repeated loading rather than one major injury. It most often affects the foot or lower leg and is common in running, jumping and dance. In this pathway, the main areas are the weight-bearing bones of the foot, ankle and lower leg, including the metatarsals, tibia and fibula.
What causes it?
There may be more than one cause or contributing factor. These can include:
- A sudden increase or change in training
- High-impact activity or repeated loading
- Running on hard surfaces
- Unsuitable footwear or altered foot mechanics
- Low bone density, osteoporosis or a hormonal imbalance
- Low energy availability, which can affect bone health
What are the symptoms?
Everyone experiences symptoms differently, but you may notice:
- Pain in one specific area of the foot, ankle or lower leg
- Pain that improves with rest and returns with activity
- Tenderness or swelling
- Ongoing pain without a memorable injury
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will examine the painful area and ask about activity, training and bone-health risk factors. Imaging may include X-rays and, where needed, an MRI or another scan.
We’ll explain any tests clearly and talk you through what the results mean for you.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the cause, the severity of your symptoms and the activities you want to return to. We’ll help you understand your options before you decide what happens next.
- Stopping the activity that caused the pain
- A boot, crutches or reduced weight-bearing where advised
- A review of training, footwear and movement
- Support for bone health and nutrition where relevant
- A gradual, guided return to activity
Recovery goals after treatment for stress fractures
Early recovery
Reduce pain and swelling Protect the affected area Keep moving safely as advised
As your symptoms improve
Restore comfortable movement Rebuild strength and control Return gradually to everyday tasks
Returning to full activity
Return to suitable exercise or sport Regain confidence in your movement Continue rehabilitation or monitoring as advised
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams and active individuals with the assessment and treatment of meniscus injuries. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider care team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or goals.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Our specialists
Mr Dean Michael
Knee Replacement, Foot and Ankle, Hip Arthroscopy and Hip Preservation Surgery, Hip Replacement
London, Wimbledon
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Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic London
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore Street W1U 2SB
- 0203 195 2442
- Outpatient times are Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon Clinic
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT Scan
- Image guided injections
- Physiotherapy
- MAKO Robotic Joint Replacement
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William Street EC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Outpatient times are Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon Clinic
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple Road SW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Outpatient times are Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1H 6EQ
- 020 3195 2442
- Outpatient times are Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
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