Some of those stress fracture classification systems use MRI, some use CT scans and some use X-rays to try to determine how bad your injury happens to be. 

Of course, the point of a classification system is to help you decide when and how to get back to activity quickly by helping your doctor make decisions.

Is this stress fracture going to heal quickly? 

Is this stress fracture going to heal slowly? 

Is this stress fracture something that's high risk, or low risk?

Today on the Doc On The Run podcast, we're talking about how doctors classify stress fractures in runners.