Bilateral Synchronous Stress Fracture of the Tibia in a Young Female Basketball Player.

Magdalena Posadzy,Filip Vanhoenacker

doi:10.5334/jbr-btr.1042

Magdalena Posadzy, Filip Vanhoenacker

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5334/jbr-btr.1042

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Abstract

We present a case of a bilateral synchronous stress fracture of the tibia in a young female basketball player. The patient was initially referred for ultrasound and radiographs of the knees to exclude Osgood-Schlatter disease. Radiographs and subsequent MRI revealed bilateral stress fractures of the proximal tibia. A synchronous and symmetrical occurrence of stress fractures in the lower limbs is unusual. As clinical presentation is often nonspecific, appropriate imaging (plain films and MRI) plays a pivotal role in the correct diagnosis of this uncommon entity.

Highlights

We present a case of a bilateral synchronous stress fracture of the tibia in a young female basketball player
Additional MRI depicted low-intensity fracture lines surrounded by bone marrow oedema, confirming the diagnosis of stress fractures (Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b)
The conventional radiography in our case was sufficient to allow for the diagnosis of stress fracture, MRI was performed to evaluate the precise extent of the fracture line and surrounding oedema and to exclude any underlying bone marrow disease

Summary

Introduction

We present a case of a bilateral synchronous stress fracture of the tibia in a young female basketball player. Case Presentation An 11-year-old female basketball player was referred to our radiology department with anterolateral pain of both knees over a few weeks to exclude Osgood-Schlatter disease. Ultrasound (US) revealed bilateral normal appearance of the tibial tubercle, excluding Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Results

Conclusion