Epidemiology and site specificity of stress fractures

This article reviews the descriptive epidemiology of stress fractures in both athletic and military populations. Methodologic issues are addressed, including the paucity of sound epidemiological studies in athletes and the problems associated with study design, sample bias, duration of observation, method of data collection and stress fracture definition. Stress fracture rates are categorized according to population, gender, race, and age in an attempt to identify individuals most at risk for this overuse injury. Finally, the site distribution and morbidity of stress fractures are presented.