Stress fracture in parachute regiment recruits.

A survey of stress fractures occurring in recruits at the Depot of The Parachute Regiment was carried out over a one year period from July 1985 to August 1986. A total of 44 fractures in 36 soldiers were diagnosed. The incidence was thus 4.84%, much lower than that found in a recent prospective Israeli study. Only one case of progression to complete fracture was observed during the study. In contrast to the previous experience with British recruits, the commonest site of stress fracture was the tibial midshaft.