RADIOLOGICAL VALUATION OF STRESS FRACTURES OF THE LOWER LIMB

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to diagnose stress fractures early to prevent bone remodelling, non-union injuries and loss of function by using various modalities. Plain Radiograph, CT scan and MRI of 50 patients imaged with history of of localized pain related to change in their physical activity or followed by an effort/activity to which they were not accustomed were retrospectively reviewed for stress fractures. Lesions with both bone injuries and pathological findings on the adjacent soft tissues were taken into consideration and evaluated further. The age of the study population ranged from 16 to 75 years. Of the 50 patients studied, 25 were men and 25were women. We found 5 mild stress reaction, 10 insufficiency fractures and 35 stress fractures. The use of CT and MRI is of a great importance for early diagnosis and thus was essential to exclude other causes of bone lesions that may create confusion in the differential diagnosis of a patient with pain and non-specific abnormalities on plain radiography. In the absence of a clear co-relation between repeated stress and pain in an active individual the clinical diagnosis of a stress related bone injury may be troublesome and a possible delay may cause worsening of this condition and further impairment to a professional athlete.