Stress fracture in soldiers: a multifocal bone disorder

Forty-two military recruits with suspected stress fractures were evaluated by radiographs and radionuclide images. In 3 cases, both studies were negative. The initial radiograph was negative in 13 patients and positive in 29. Many foci shown by the radionuclide image were negative on the radiograph, particularly in the tarsal region. Thus stress fractures are often multifocal and may remain radiographically negative.