Sometimes pain in your foot is no big deal. Sometimes even minor pain can be a stress fracture, which if untreated can become much more serious. A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. They often happen from overuse, such as from high impact activities like running, basketball and dancing. It is not uncommon to develop a stress fracture just walking. Most stress fractures occur in the weight bearing bones of the foot and lower leg. The most common sites are the second and third metatarsal bones on top of the foot. The other two parts of the foot are the heel bone and a bone in the midfoot.

Stress fractures usually occur when you increase your high impact activity by frequency (how often you exercise), duration (how long you exercise) or intensity (your level of exertion). In the climate of Midwest United States, this increased activity coincides with warmer weather. The other reason why stress fractures are common in warmer weather is because people tend to wear less supportive foot gear, such as sandals, or wear no shoes at all. Some feet can handle this better than others.

There are several symptoms of stress fractures:

* Pain that develops gradually, increases with weight bearing activity and diminishes with rest

* Pain that becomes more severe and occurs during normal activities

* Swelling on the top of the foot or outside of the ankle

*Tenderness to touch at the site of the fracture

If you suspect a stress fracture in your foot or ankle, stop the activity and rest the foot. Ignoring the pain can lead to a complete break of the bone. Apply ice and elevate the foot. Ibuprofen or Aleve may relieve pain and swelling. Try not to put weight on the foot until you see the doctor.

Stress fractures can be diagnosed by an x-ray or a bone scan. Treatment usually consists of wearing a protective boot and avoiding high impact activities for a few weeks. If you ignore the warning signs of this condition, it may worsen to the point of needing surgery to fix it.

Here are tips to avoid stress fractures:

1. Maintain a healthy diet. Eat calcium and vitamin D rich foods to help build bone strength

2. Do not wear old or worn running shoes

3. Alternate your activities. For example, you can alternate jogging with swimming or biking

4. Start your new sports activities slowly

If you ever think you have the signs and symptoms of a stress fracture, call a podiatrist immediately to schedule an appointment.