Epidemiology of stress fractures

The pathophysiology of stress fractures is well understood, but a lack of quality epidemiologic data remains. Injuries to the tibia and metatarsals are the most frequent stress fractures reported in the literature. There is a clear association between increasing training volumes and increased risk of stress fracture, but little is known beyond this association. There is a pressing need for large prospective studies to better establish the risks of stress fracture by sport, age, and gender. Such studies would allow a better delineation of specific fracture sites and estimates of injury risk and lay the foundation for future prevention strategies.