BILATERAL STRESS FRACTURE OF THE FIBULA: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Stress fractures are overuse injuries of the bone. These fractures, which may be nascent or complete, result from repetitive sub-threshold loadings that exceed the bone's intrinsic ability to repair itself, in time. They typically occur in weight-bearing bones, such as the tibia and the metatarsals. It is a common sports injury, and more than half of the cases concern athletes. As the fibula is not load-bearing, its stress fracture is not common. An 18 years-old female recreational athlete, who applied to the clinic with complaint of bilateral leg pain increasing upon activity, was examined, assessed through radiography and diagnosed as having bilateral fibula stress fracture. There was no history of direct trauma. Tenderness was present over the lateral aspects of the legs. Following five weeks of resting, physiotherapy and progressive exercise program, the symptoms disappeared and the patient resumed normal activity. Although the diagnosis of stress fracture is relatively difficult, it can be accomplished by thorough history taking, physical examination and radiographic assessment. Good results can be obtained with controlled sports activities following rest, NSAI medications and physiotherapy.