Signs You Are Ignoring Your Foot Pain Too Long

By Dr. Elizabeth Piselli

Foot pain has a way of sneaking into your daily life. It starts as a mild ache after a long day, a soreness after a workout, or a tender spot that “probably just needs better shoes.” Many patients come into our podiatry office weeks — sometimes months — after their pain began, convinced it was something minor. And more often than you’d think, we take an X-ray and discover… it’s actually a stress fracture.

What Is a Stress Fracture?

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repetitive pressure or overuse. Unlike a sudden traumatic break, stress fractures develop gradually. They are extremely common in active adults, runners, walkers, people who stand for long hours at work, and even children involved in sports.

In the foot, stress fractures most often occur in the metatarsals (the long bones in the front of your foot), but they can also affect the heel bone or other areas.

The tricky part? Early on, they don’t always feel severe.

Signs You May Be Ignoring a Stress Fracture

Here are some red flags I frequently see in patients at our Rockville Centre podiatry practice:

1. Pain that gets worse with activity: If your foot feels fine at rest but hurts more when walking, exercising, or standing, that’s a warning sign.

2. Swelling on the top of the foot: Mild swelling that doesn’t go away — especially if it’s localized to one spot — shouldn’t be ignored.

3. Tenderness when you press on one specific area:Stress fracture pain is often very pinpoint. If you can put your finger directly on the painful spot, that’s significant.

4. Pain that doesn’t improve after a week or two: Most minor strains improve with rest. If your pain lingers beyond 10–14 days, it’s time for an evaluation.

5. Limping or changing how you walk: If you’re adjusting your gait to avoid pain, you may be making the injury worse.

“I Thought It Was Just…”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard:

“I thought it was plantar fasciitis.”

“I figured I just overdid it at the gym.”

“I assumed I needed new sneakers.”

While those can certainly cause foot pain, stress fractures are often mistaken for these conditions. An in-office evaluation and X-ray at our Rockville Centre podiatry office can quickly clarify what’s going on.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Ignoring a stress fracture can allow the crack to widen, potentially leading to a full fracture that requires longer immobilization — or even surgery in severe cases. Early treatment usually involves activity modification, supportive footwear, and sometimes a walking boot. The sooner we catch it, the easier the recovery.

When to See a Podiatrist:

If your foot pain has lasted more than two weeks, is worsening, or is preventing you from normal activity, it’s time to get it checked. Foot pain is never “normal,” and it’s not something you should push through.

At Balance Podiatry in Rockville Centre, we’re here to help you get answers quickly and safely so you can get back to doing what you love — pain free.

Your feet carry you everywhere. Don’t ignore what they’re trying to tell you.