It is more common in soldiers, but also occurs in hikers, organists, and other people whose duties entail much standing (such as hospital doctors).

When the boot or shoes are taken off, there is a cramp-like pain in the affected forefoot, and moderate local edema appears on the dorsal aspect.

On moving each toe in turn, that of the involved metatarsal causes pain, and when the bone is palpated from the dorsal surface, a point of tenderness is found directly over the lesion.

In civil life, it is seldom diagnosed correctly for a week or two, when, because of lack of immobilization, there is an excessive deposit of callus (which may be palpable) around the fracture.

In rare cases in which stress fracture occurs with a cavus foot, plantar fascia release may be appropriate.