Abstract
The aetiology of stress fractures is multifactorial, and many risk factors have been
implicated. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between stress fractures,
factors and biochemical markers related to bone metabolism, and calcaneal stiffness
index measured by quantitative ultrasound in a case control study including male military
personnel beyond basic training. Thirty-two male patients with stress fractures were
matched with 32 uninjured-healthy volunteers by age, height, body weight and level
of physical performance. A questionnaire concerning the calcium intake, alcohol consumption
and smoking was completed, the values of several biochemical markers were measured
from blood samples, and calcaneal quantitative ultrasound was measured by heel ultrasound
for all participants. Statistically significant higher levels of albumin (4.59 ± 0.28
vs. 4.40 ± 0.25, p = 0.006) and lower levels of serum osteocalcin (6.26 ± 1.74 vs.
7.40 ± 1.80, p = 0.012), mean values of T-scores (− 0.21 ± 0.95 vs. 0.33 ± 0.82, p = 0.018)
and Z-scores (− 0.14 ± 0.81 vs. 0.33 ± 0.71, p = 0.016) were found among patients
compared to controls. Based on the results, it seems that a decreased bone turnover
and a low calcaneal stiffness index may be related to the incidence of stress fractures
amongst male military personnel.
Key words
bone metabolism - bone density - calcaneal quantitative ultrasound - stress fracture
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Mr.
MD Christos Nikos Chatzipapas
Democritus University of Thrace
Department of Orthopaedics
Mouswn 6
68100 Alexandroupolis
Greece
Phone: + 30 25 51 03 65 50
Fax: + 30 25 51 02 33 26
Email: hatzy@otenet.gr
