SkillsUSA Medical Terminology Practice Test

Stress fractures come from repetitive microtrauma during activity. In the foot, the metatarsal bones absorb a lot of repetitive impact from running, jumping, or dancing, and with continued loading they begin to crack little by little rather than breaking all at once. This is why the pain tends to show up with activity and improve with rest. Early X-rays can be normal, so doctors may use MRI or bone scans to confirm the fracture. Other fracture types don’t fit this scenario as well. A greenstick fracture is an incomplete crack that usually happens in children from bending the bone. Vertebral compression fracture occurs in the spine from axial load, often with osteoporosis. A spiral fracture results from a twisting force around the bone. The description of an activity-related fracture in the foot best matches a stress fracture.