How Do Stress Fractures Develop?

July 2, 2009, 9:00 am by Scientific American: Health

Considering the forces involved in many sports, it's no surprise that professional athletes sustain serious injuries to their muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. A spate of bone fracture–related injuries seems to be dogging professional teams this year. The Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association lost seven-time all-star Tracy McGrady to season-ending microfracture surgery in February. And on Monday, Rocket’s team physician Tom Clanton announced in the Houston Chronicle that all-star center Yao Ming's fractured foot, which he sustained in a play-off game against the Los Angeles Lakers in May, has worsened over time and may end his career. The possibility that New York Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran might have a microfractured knee turned fans and fantasy baseball owners into nervous wrecks. Such an injury ended the career of NBA star Jamal Mashburn. [More]

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