March fracture

Last revised by Bahman Rasuli on 28 Oct 2022

March fractures are a subtype of fatigue/stress fractures. They occur due to repeated concentrated trauma to a normal bone, classically the 2nd metatarsal of the foot but can occur in other weight-bearing bones of the lower limb and pelvis.

Radiographic features

Please see the article on stress fractures

History and etymology

The name arises from its prevalence in soldiers who often undertake repeated and lengthy periods of marching as part of training or work 1.

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