title: Epidemiology of stress fractures.
abstract: Stress fractures are a frequent cause of injury in competitive and recreational athletes. Although a number of epidemiologic studies have been conducted, the populations studied and data collection methods have varied. This article presents an overview of injury epidemiology and reviews the current body of literature regarding the occurrence of stress fractures in athletes. Given the heterogeneity of the populations studied and the variations in data collection, few broad conclusions can be drawn. There is a pressing need for large prospective studies to better establish the risks of stress fracture by sport, age, and gender.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt Sports Medicine, Medical Center East, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.forename: Warren R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data