Authors: Maria H Niva Ville M Mattila Martti J Kiuru Harri K Pihlajamäki
Publish Date: 2009/04/21
Volume: 467, Issue: 11, Pages: 2962-
Abstract
Although bone stress injuries are common in male military trainees it is not known how common they are in female trainees It also is unclear whether asymptomatic bone stress injuries heal if intensive training is continued We prospectively followed 10 female trainees of a military Reserve Officer Course The subjects underwent clinical and MRI examinations of the pelvis thighs and lower legs at the beginning once during and at the end of their 3month course We identified two to five injuries in every female trainee all of whom already had the injuries at the beginning of the officer course None of these injuries increased their severity despite vigorous training Twothirds were asymptomatic and low grade Femoral and tibial shafts were the most common locations Highergrade injuries were more likely symptomatic but regardless of the MRI findings female trainees expressed only mild to moderate symptoms Asymptomatic lowgrade bone stress injuries of the femoral and tibial shaft are common in female recruits undergoing heavy physical training Because these injuries seem to remain constant or even disappear despite continued heavy physical activity we do not recommend routine screening of asymptomatic trainees As some bone stress fractures may have severe consequences eg in the femoral neck symptomatic bone stress injuries should be examined and treatedEach author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained
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