Principles of stress fracture management

PREVIEW

Stress fracture occurs when forces applied to a bone exceed the bone's strength. Many such fractures are the result of athletic activities, including running, dance, Australian-rules football, aerobics, and gymnastics. As participation in these activities increases, the incidence of injury is increasing, and stress fractures are often seen in the primary care office. In this article, the first of two articles on stress fractures, Drs Perron, Brady, and Keats present general information about the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of stress fractures. The second article, which describes diagnosis and treatment of several specific fractures, will appear in a subsequent issue.