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How Advancement in Bone Science Should Inform the Examination and Treatment of Femoral Shaft Bone Stress Injuries in Running Athletes

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Abstract

Stress fractures likely have a 1–2% incidence in athletes in general. In runners, a more vulnerable population, incidence rates likely range between 3.2 and 21% with female runners having greater susceptibility. The incidence of femoral shaft stress fractures is less well known. New basic and translational science research may impact the way clinicians diagnose and treat femoral stress fractures. By using a fictitious case study, this paper applies bone science to suggest new approaches to evaluating and treating femoral shaft stress fractures in the running population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tufts University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, 101 E Washington St Ste 950, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Eric J. Hegedus, Edward P. Mulligan, Angela Spontelli Gisselman, Liana C. Wooten & Benjamin D. Stern

  2. Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia

    Bradley A. Beer

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Correspondence to Eric J. Hegedus.

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Eric Hegedus, Edward Mulligan, Bradley Beer, Angela Gisselman, Liana Wooten, and Benjamin Stern have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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EH: initial idea for the paper and writing of the first draft. EM: initial idea for the paper and draft edits. BB: initial idea for the paper and draft edits. AG: draft edits and creation of original Fig. 1. LW: draft edits. BS: draft edits. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Hegedus, E.J., Mulligan, E.P., Beer, B.A. et al. How Advancement in Bone Science Should Inform the Examination and Treatment of Femoral Shaft Bone Stress Injuries in Running Athletes. Sports Med 53, 1117–1124 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01802-z

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