Suggestions

Permission for Use

Stress Fractures in Female Runners

Female Athlete and Stress Fractures

The etiology behind this patient's stress fracture is termed by health professionals as the female athlete's terrible triad. The female athlete's terrible triad is often found in endurance athletes, such as runners, gymnasts, figure skaters, ballerinas, or professional dancers. Professionals believe it is the drive of an individual to want to perform at a high level and attain certain performance goals that leads to the terrible triad. This presents in highly determined individuals who often have high levels of stress and / or depression.

The female athlete's terrible triad is defined as altered nutrition, menstrual function, and bone health. More specifically, these individuals have disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis.

Signature findings leading to this diagnosis are:

(1) An obsession with wanting to lose weight to increase their performance. The patients often limit their calorie and fat intake and compare their body to other athletes who perform well at their sport.
(2) Patients will report not having their period for 3 to 12 consecutive months and / or not having menarche until after age sixteen.
(3) Bone density tests and x-rays are used to confirm decreased bone health and osteoporosis.