Stress Fracture

Abstract

Stress fractures result from repetitive movements straining the same region of bone, which can lead to an imbalance between bone resorption and formation and ultimately, failure. The populations most commonly affected include distance runners, dancers, and soldiers. Stress fractures are much more common in the lower extremities than the upper extremities or axial skeleton. The most common bones affected in decreasing order are: tibia, metatarsals (second and third mostly), and fibula. MRI is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic modality. Nonoperative management is the mainstay of treatment; however, surgery is warranted in select situations, such as tension-sided femoral neck and anterior cortex of the middle third of the tibia stress fractures.