Abstract

Introduction This article describes a clinical case of a stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis following a high-energy tibial shaft fracture stabilized with interlocking intramedullary (IM) nail to identify an underlying cause of the traumatic event. Objective To demonstrate the occurrence of a stress fracture after adequate interlocking IM nailing of a traumatic fracture due to systemic osteoporosis that presented no clinical manifestations prior to injury. Material and methods Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to diagnose the stress fracture. Bone mineral density and laboratory markers of bone metabolism were measured to identify underlying causes of the stress fracture. Consolidation of the traumatic fracture fixed with interlocking IM nail was re-evaluated with a radiograph of the fracture site. Results The stress fracture was seen off the IM nail on MRI scans. Osteoporosis was diagnosed with bone densitometry using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and deoxypyridinoline, a bone resorption marker and vitamin D deficiency were identified with laboratory tests. No signs of fracture union were seen radiologically. Conclusion A stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis detected 3 months after a tibial shaft fracture fixed with interlocking IM nail can be considered an insufficiency fracture caused by primary (idiopathic) systemic osteoporosis that was asymptomatic prior to the high-energy injury.

Highlights

  • This article describes a clinical case of a stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis following a high-energy tibial shaft fracture stabilized with interlocking intramedullary (IM) nail to identify an underlying cause of the traumatic event

  • We report a clinical case of a stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis following a traumatic tibial fracture stabilized with interlocking intramedullary (IM) nail in a patient with systemic osteoporosis that was asymptomatic prior to injury

  • Radiographs produced on admission (Fig. 3) showed a clear fracture line, weak consolidation and a horizontal rarefaction in the distal metaepiphysis below the nail (Fig. 3) that was identified as a stress fracture

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Summary

Introduction

This article describes a clinical case of a stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis following a high-energy tibial shaft fracture stabilized with interlocking intramedullary (IM) nail to identify an underlying cause of the traumatic event. Interlocking intramedullary (IM) nailing is widely recognized as the treatment of choice for most tibia and femur fractures. Stress fractures as an uncommon complication have been described in osteosynthesis of the femur [1]. We have not encountered reports on the complication in fractures of tibia. Stress fractures of tibia without previous trauma are common injuries in athletes and military recruits, and in its most inclusive description [2] include both fatigue and insufficiency fractures. We report a clinical case of a stress fracture of the distal tibial metaepiphysis following a traumatic tibial fracture stabilized with interlocking intramedullary (IM) nail in a patient with systemic osteoporosis that was asymptomatic prior to injury

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