Stress Fractures in Military Population

Stress fractures are not rare, especially among athletes and in new military recruits. They have been known since the first clinical description by Pauzat in 1887. These fractures may also occur in people who perform labor that demands the carrying of very heavy loads. The context and location are often distinctive, and may point to the diagnosis. Sometimes, the diagnosis is not easy, and confirmation requires a radiological assessment: a simple X-ray may suffice, but often more sophisticated examinations like RMI, CT scans or body scans are required. The treatment is mostly medical or orthopedic, involving immobilization. There is no place for surgery except with bone complications (nonunion, displacement). The main causes are training errors and excessive activity.