Epidemiology and anatomy of stress fractures

Stress fractures affect military trainees and athletes. They were first described in soldiers in 1855 and in sportsmen in the early twentieth century. These populations differ significantly in their training programs and environment. This leads to considerable epidemiological differences. Gender and type of activity also affect the epidemiology in the groups. Data from the military are usually more reproducible than data from athletes because of the uniformity of training regimens in the military compared to athletes (mainly sports that include running) whose training tends to be more individualistic. The anatomical site of the stress fracture is influenced by the type of training, with classical march drills causing more foot injuries, and long distance marching and running causing more long bone stress fractures.