Stress fractures of the calcaneus in women marine recruits.

Stress fractures of the calcaneus constitute about 25% of all stress fractures seen during Marine recruit training, and are often bilateral. The incidence can be correlated with individual physical condition at the onset of training. There was no correlation with age, height, weight, or foot architecture. In 114 women Marine recruits the incidence was 10.5%. The principal factors involved in the occurrence of this fractur are: the types and mechanism of application of forces to the calcaneus, the musculo-skeletal architecture of the foot and ankle, and the initial physiologic condition of the individual.