Fractures which seemingly occur without obvious sudden injury. They are usually of a limb and tend to occur in sportspersons when an undue amount of exercise is taken – that is, an amount of exercise which an individual is not capable of coping with in his or her state of training. One variety is MARCH FRACTURE which may occur in the military. The main initial feature is pain over the affected bone that has been subjected to abnormal physical stress. This is usually insidious in onset, and worse at night and during and after exercise. It is accompanied by tenderness, and a lump may be felt over the affected site. X-ray evidence only appears after several weeks. Treatment consists of rest, some form of external support, and in the initial stage ANALGESICS to deaden or kill the pain. (See also BONE, DISORDERS OF – Bone fractures.)