Hi Sue

Ouch!

Metatarsals are the five long bones in the "palm" of the foot yes? i.e. not the toes themselves?

I'm wondering if you have a spur and that your galavant in high-heels-on-gravel-faster-than-usual has set it off. Or may be you are right and have a stress fracture. What about getting it x-rayed. Its been hanging around for too long in my book. Nine days with no relief is not good. And you need those feet for your trip my girl.

I've had a spur. It hurts like hell when you put your foot down on it when you get up and then stays sore all day. I treated mine with vegetal silica and rest. You can also get cortisone injections which is what my mum did. Both worked. PM me if you want to lo-down on the silica. the pain gets worse before it gets better as it activates things. You also need to be near a loo for the first couple of days just in case other things get stirred too. LOL.