Stress fractures in CRPF recruits, our experience in MMC RGGGH

Abstract

AIM To study stress fractures in CRPF recruits . ETIO PATHOGENESIS By convention, stress fractures occur in normal bone when that bone is subjected to abnormal or unaccustomed repeated stresses. This condition is distinct from insufficiency fractures, wherein normal stresses applied to abnormal bone produce fracture.Stress fracture incidences evade precise determination in athletic populations because of variability in training programs and a lack of standardized reporting. MATERIALS AND METHODCRPF Male recruits were referred to our institution for the complaint of pain on strenuous professional physical activity. 10 cases of stress fractures . age 22-24 yrs. (avg 23)All fractures were low risk ie on compression side, and Grade 2 according to Fredericson et al classification. TREATMENT AND RESULTS                      Sub trochanteric stress fracture protected weight                   bearing for 3 weeks , till the pain subsided , followed by full wt bearing walking , and cross training, no running or jumping .  atient returned to his routine after 3 months. Tibial , fibular and calcaneo-cuboidal stress fractures were put on Patellar tendon bearing cast for 3 weeks , cross training for 8weeks 12 weeks as per patients comfort. Patients returned to routine in 12 weeks .DISCUSSION Patients were referred to three  different city hospitals hence the incidence could not be           estimated. Treatment is modified according to subjective symptoms. Considering alternative training regimen for           patients with stress fractures (cross training) Sensitizing army medical officers about stress fractures so as to pick it up at the earliest.