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Stress Fracture

Meaning

A stress fracture is a fine break or a small crack in a bone, typically resulting from repetitive microtrauma and accumulated mechanical stress rather than a single, acute injury. In the context of hormonal health, these fractures are often a clinical manifestation of underlying endocrine deficiencies, particularly low estrogen levels in women or low testosterone in men, which compromise bone mineral density and the bone’s remodeling capacity. While initially an orthopedic concern, the occurrence of stress fractures in the absence of extreme training is a significant red flag for metabolic bone disease and inadequate hormonal support. Early identification necessitates a comprehensive hormonal and nutritional workup.