Why Your Good Foot Starts Hurting During Stress Fracture Recovery

A runner with a third metatarsal stress fracture was doing everything right. Her injured left foot was getting much better — but then her “good” right foot started aching. That can be frightening. Does it mean you are developing another stress fracture? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Segler explains why the uninjured foot can become overloaded when you are using a fracture walking boot, crutches, or a knee walker, how compensatory stress can trigger metatarsal aching, and why you should not simply ignore new pain in the other foot. You’ll also learn why systematically tracking pain and activity can help you determine whether the aching foot is getting better or heading toward a more significant problem.