Female athlete triad and stress fractures.
Stress fractures are a common occurrence in athletes, and the incidence of stress fractures in female Division 1 collegiate athletes is double that of men. Hormonal influences on bone and bone morphology may influence the risk for fracture. A high level of suspicion and special imaging procedures allow for accurate diagnosis of these fractures. In stress fractures that are associated with the female athlete triad, addressing the three aspects of the triad--eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis--are critical for successful treatment. Preparticipation screening for the presence of signs of the female athlete triad by monitoring weight, energy level, menstrual cycles, and bone mineral density may help to prevent the occurrence of stress fractures in this population.
Feingold
David
D
Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The David Geffen University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Hame
Sharon L
SL
D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000150:complications; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D053716:Female Athlete Triad Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans