Risk Factors for Recurrent Stress Fractures in Athletes

If you are a runner who has suffered from a stress fracture, you may be at increased risk for future, recurrent stress fractures. There are several biomechanical factors that predispose athletes to multiple stress fractures of the lower extremities in athletes. The main culprit seems to be the biomechanics of the ankle and include the following:

• A high longitudinal arch of the foot
• Leg-length inequality
• Excessive forefoot varus (inward turning)
• Menstrual irregularities in female athletes
• High weekly training mileage (for runners)

In order to reduce your risk of stress fractures, it is important to:

• Wear the right shoe for your foot type
• Limit your mileage increases; use the Ten Percent Rule
• Women athletes should avoid amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities

  _Source:[/sub

  _{Raija Korpelainen, MSc, et al. Risk Factors for Recurrent Stress Fractures in Athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. May 2001 29:304-310.}