There are many predisposing factors in march fractures, some of which may be controlled.
Initial roentgenographic examination is often negative and should be repeated. In 8.5 per cent. of the patients, no fracture line was visible at any time to accompany callus formation.
At present we feel that early diagnosis and treatment by absolute freedom from weight-bearing until soreness disappears may give the best results.
The type of treatment and the end results, reported previously in the literature, have not been clearly described.
Our end results have been poor. We conclude that march fracture in soldiers is more serious than other reports have indicated.
In a future report we will present a series of cases treated with absolute rest.