Metatarsal stress fracture

　　1. Chronic injury and long-term concentrated stress are the conditions that cause fatigue fractures.

　　1. In X-ray examination, it is found that most patients have a short first metatarsal and a relatively long second metatarsal. In addition, clinical examination finds that the bone structure between the first and second metatarsals is loose. This causes the load-bearing point of the foot to shift from the first metatarsal head to the second metatarsal head. However, the second metatarsal shaft is slender compared to the first metatarsal shaft, so fatigue fractures are more likely to occur.

　　Metatarsal stress fractures can sometimes be accompanied by metatarsal dislocation. Due to muscle and ligament traction, the fracture ends may displace, and poor reduction during treatment may lead to joint deformity in the metatarsal area. Bone deformity refers to the abnormality or defect in the volume, shape, location, or structure of organs or tissues, and it becomes deformed. The early symptoms of deformity are not easy to be discovered and may delay treatment. Therefore, attention should be paid to the occurrence of complications.

　　Pain in the forefoot usually occurs after prolonged or strenuous exercise, which can disappear after several seconds of rest. In subsequent training, the occurrence of pain becomes earlier and more severe, to the point where exercise cannot be performed, and even lying in bed can cause pain. Touching the swollen area can cause pain. X-rays usually cannot show fractures, even after 2 to 3 weeks of callus formation, and bone scan with technetium-99m diphosphate is helpful for diagnosis.

　　Several methods for the prevention and protection of fractures:

　　1. Exercise to strengthen the body:It is necessary to actively and continuously exercise, increase outdoor activity time, breathe fresh air more, and promote overall blood circulation and metabolism. Walking, jogging, Tai Chi, health exercises, and other projects can be chosen. More activities can make more calcium in the blood stay in the bones, thus increasing bone hardness and effectively reducing the occurrence of fractures.

　　2. More sun exposure:Sunlight can promote the synthesis of vitamin D, and calcium metabolism depends on the effect of vitamin D; the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can promote the formation and absorption of calcium in the body, maintain normal calcium-phosphorus metabolism, increase the calcium content in bones, and improve bone hardness.

　　3. Prevention before illness:The elderly should not go to places with a lot of people and vehicles, and should not go out during rain, snow, or when there is water on the ground or ice, to avoid falling and fracturing. Do not climb ladders or engage in high-altitude activities, and do not walk on steep slopes, as the elderly have weak lower limbs and dull reactions, which are prone to falls. When going out, walk slowly and carefully. If there are symptoms such as dizziness, deafness, or dizziness, try to reduce going out. If it is necessary to go out, someone should help support walking or use a cane. Before going to the toilet at night, sit on the edge of the bed for a moment to excite the leg muscles and prevent transient hypotension due to changes in position. When taking a bath, prepare a small stool, sit down to put on pants and shoes, and prevent falls.

　　4. Diet adjustment:Eating more vegetables, protein, and vitamin-rich foods can prevent the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. The diet in the early stage of fracture should be light and easy to digest, which is conducive to removing blood stasis and reducing swelling. In the later stage, it should be heavy in taste, and appropriate dietary supplementation for the liver and kidney should be chosen to promote the healing of fractures and the recovery of function.

　　5. Close observation:After suffering an injury, if there is a suspicion of a fracture, it is necessary to go to the hospital for treatment in a timely manner. During the transport, necessary temporary fixation measures should be taken. For upper limb fractures, the arm should be fixed with a wooden board, the length of which should exceed the upper and lower joint surfaces of the fracture site. The fractured arm can also be tied to the chest for fixation. For lower limb fractures, the injured limb can be bound together with a long wooden board, the length of which should be above the armpit and below the heel, or the affected limb can be tied to the healthy limb for fixation. Spinal fractures should be moved parallel by two people to the wooden board for fixation. Cervical spine fractures should have sandbags placed on both sides of the head to limit head movement before being sent to the hospital. If there is bleeding, the wound should be temporarily bandaged with clean cloth, and then the止血带 should be tied. Generally, the bandage should not be tied for more than 1 hour at a time, and the bandage can be loosened for 1 to 2 minutes every hour until fresh blood flows out, to prevent limb ischemia and necrosis due to prolonged bandaging. After the fracture is fixed with methods such as plaster, the skin color changes and swelling of the injured limb should be closely observed within 24 hours. If swelling intensifies or ecchymosis is found on the skin, immediate medical consultation is required, and the plaster should be loosened or removed to prevent limb ischemia and poor blood return due to excessive tightness of the plaster. During the period of fracture fixation, regular follow-up should be carried out according to the doctor's instructions.

　　At the time of diagnosis, in addition to relying on clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations are also needed. This disease requires an anteroposterior and oblique X-ray film of the affected foot to determine the diagnosis. Generally, Tc-99m bone scan is helpful for diagnosis. This disease severely affects the daily life of patients, so it should be actively prevented.

　　Firstly, it is best not to eat certain foods for the diet of plantar fatigue fractures

　　1. Avoid eating too much meat bones.

　　2. Avoid excessive consumption of sugar.

　　3. Avoid eating foods that are easy to cause flatulence or indigestion, such as taro, yam, and glutinous rice.

　　Secondly, what kind of food should be eaten for the diet of plantar fatigue fractures

　　It is advisable to consume calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and soy products; eat more fresh green vegetables.

　　Including stopping running, wearing elastic shoes, and running on grass or other soft surfaces after the fracture has healed.石膏 fixation is rarely needed as it may cause muscle atrophy and activity impairment. If it is necessary, it is usually only for 1-2 weeks, and the fracture healing usually takes 3-12 weeks, with elderly patients or those with weak bodies requiring a longer time. Women with recurrent fatigue fractures may have osteoporosis and need to be evaluated for osteoporosis.