Common stress fractures in runners: An analysis

Abstract

Stress fractures are common injuries in both professional and recreational runners. This type of injury occurs more frequently in the lower extremities and can be caused by a number of both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. A wide variety of stress fracture locations have been reported in the literature, but the tibia is most frequently involved followed by the metatarsals, the fibula, the tarsal navicular, and the femur bone. Marathon training and average weekly running distances over 64 km have been consistently demonstrated as factors in the development of a stress fracture. Recent changes in the training regimen, prior injury, and running or training on hard terrain, such as trail running, are among additional considerations when evaluating runners with stress fractures.