Stress fracture epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Dr. Johnathan C Reeser states that, in the US, the annual incidence of stress fractures range from 5% to 30%, depending on the sport and other risk factors.

Stress fractures occur less frequently in those of black African descent than in Caucasians, due to a higher BMD (bone mineral density) in the former.

Women and highly active individuals are also at a higher risk. The incidence probably also increases with age due to age-related reductions in BMD, but children may also be at risk because their bones have yet to reach full density and strength. The female athlete triad also can put women at risk, as disordered eating and osteoporosis can cause the bones to be severely weakened.

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