Risk factors

Stress fractures are often the result of repetitive stress to the leg bones from physical activities, such as:

• Running
• Ballet dancing
• Basketball
• Marching

Contact sports, such as hockey and football, also may pose a risk of direct blows to the leg, which can result in a fracture.

Stress fractures outside of sport situations are more common in people who have:

• Decreased bone density (osteoporosis)
• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis