A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone that is caused by repetitive stress. It is a common injury in athletes, especially runners, dancers, and gymnasts. Stress fractures can also occur in people who are overweight or obese, or who have certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis.
Avoiding stress fractures is important because they can be very painful and disabling. They can also lead to more serious injuries, such as broken bones. There are a number of things that you can do to avoid stress fractures, including: