Fourth metatarsal basis stress fracture after steroid use secondary to COVID-19

Abstract

Stress fractures are mostly seen in the tibia, fibula, navicular, and metatarsal bones in the lower extremities due to overuse injury. A 27-year-old male patient, working as a surgical resident in a tertiary referral hospital, presented with pain on the right foot and difficulty in weight bearing and walking. His symptoms developed approximately a month after being diagnosed with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and receiving systemic corticosteroid treatment. His history revealed weight gain and excessive working hours. He was diagnosed with stress fracture of the fourth metatarsal basis and treated conservatively. In conclusion, possible muscle/tendon, and bone pathologies and stress fractures secondary to systemic corticosteroid use and increased body mass index should be kept in mind, while evaluating the complaints of patients who have had COVID-19 and have a history of systemic steroid use in daily orthopedic practice, considering the side effects of steroids on the musculoskeletal system.

Citation: Kılıç E, Bingöl O, Durğal A, Özdemir G. Fourth metatarsal basis stress fracture after steroid use secondary to COVID-19. Jt Dis Relat Surg Case Rep 2022;1(2):59-62.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.