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Fibular Stress Fracture
From WikiSM
Other Names
- Fibular Shaft Stress Fracture
- Stress Fracture of the Fibula
Background
- This page refers to stress fractures of the Fibula, an overuse injury
- Acute Fibular Fractures are discussed separately
History
Epidemiology
- Incidence in athletes and military recruits is reported to range from 3.5% ‐ 29.6%, depending on the population[1]
- Kahanov et al: proportion of fibular stress fractures among runners to be 7% ‐ 12% of all stress fractures[2]
- However, the proportion may be as high as 33% and 20% of stress fractures in female and male distance runners, respectively[3]
Pathophysiology
- See: Stress Fractures (Main)
- General
- The vast majority occur in the distal 1/3 of the fibula
- May be overlooked initially
- Proximal 1/3rd is much less common
- Proposed mechanism
- Compression loading
- Shear fatigue
- Biceps Femoris contraction stresses
- Proximal third potential etiology
Pathoanatomy
Associated Pathology
Risk Factors
- See: Stress Fracture Risk Factors
- Sports (proximal third) described in
Differential Diagnosis
- Fractures & Dislocations
- Muscle and Tendon Injuries
- Neurological
- Vascular
- Other
- Pediatric Considerations
- Tibial Tubercle Avulsion Fracture
- Tibial Tuberosity Apophysitis
- Toddlers Fracture (Tibial Shaft Fracture)
Clinical Features
- History
- History of overuse
- Pain with activity only can progress to pain at rest
- Physical Exam: Physical Exam Leg
- Point tenderness along fibula
- Special Tests
- Hop Test: hop on affected limb ~10 times to reproduce localized pain
- Tuning Fork Test: place tuning fork on bony area of concern
Evaluation
a) AP radiograph showing periosteal reaction and endosteal sclerosis (b) Coronal T2-weighted image showing diffuse bone marrow edema and a discrete fracture line.[9]
Radiographs
- Standard Radiographs Tibia Fibula
- Initial imaging modality of choice
- Early Findings
- Lag behind clinical exam for weeks
- May demonstrate subtle radiolucency, poor definition of the cortex
- Late findings
- Thickening and sclerosis of the endosteum
- Periosteal new bone formation
MRI
- Gold standard for stress fractures of the tibia
- Benefits
- More sensitivity than XR
- Helps to differentiate stress fracture from shin splints
Ultrasound
- Role in evaluating stress fractures is not well defined
Classification
- Not applicable
Management
Prognosis
- Proximal fibula stress fractures
- More common in military recruits[10]
- May have a longer recovery period
- Distal fibula stress fractures
- Typically resolve with appropriate nonoperative management
Nonoperative
- Indications
- Vast majority of fibular stress fractures
- Activity modification
- Initially, athlete must discontinue all sporting activity
- Non weight bearing with Crutches
- Strongly consider with athletes who have pain while walking
- When pain with ambulation resolves, can ween off crutches
- Immobilization
- Long Leg Cast. Talk Walking Boot may be required
- Ankle Air Cast may allow faster return to sports by up to 6 weeks compared to other forms of immobilization[11]
- Supplements
- Physical Therapy
- For proximal stress fractures, consider stretching Biceps Femoris
- Consider
Operative
- Indications
- Failure of conservative measures
- Technique
- Unknown
Rehab and Return to Play
Complications
- Delayed Union
- Delayed return to sport
- Physical deconditioning
See Also
References
- ↑ Behrens SB Deren ME Matson A Fadale PD Monchik KO. Stress fractures of the pelvis and legs in athletes: A review. Sports Health. 2013;5(2):165‐174.
- ↑ Kahanov L Eberman LE Games KE Wasik M. Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of stress fractures in the lower extremity in runners. Open Access J Sports Med. 2015;6:87‐95.
- ↑ Snyder RA Koester MC Dunn WR. Epidemiology of stress fractures. Clin Sports Med. 2006;25(1):37‐52, viii.
- ↑ Al-Kashmiri, Ammar, and J. Scott Delaney. "Case report: fatigue fracture of the proximal fibula with secondary common peroneal nerve injury." Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 463 (2007): 225-228.
- ↑ Symeonides, P. P. "High stress fractures of the fibula." The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume 62.2 (1980): 192-193.
- ↑ Goh, J. C., et al. "Biomechanical study on the load-bearing characteristics of the fibula and the effects of fibular resection." Clinical orthopaedics and related research 279 (1992): 223-228.
- ↑ Lehman, Thomas P., Michael J. Belanger, and Mark S. Pascale. "Bilateral proximal third fibular stress fractures in an adolescent female track athlete." (2002): 329-332.
- ↑ Lacroix, H., and J. N. Keeman. "An unusual stress fracture of the fibula in a long-distance runner." Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery 111.5 (1992): 289-290.
- ↑ Caravelli, Silvio, et al. "Foot and Ankle Stress Fractures in Athletics." Management of Track and Field Injures. Springer, Cham, 2022. 301-309.
- ↑ Hong SH, Chu IT. Stress fracture of the proximal fibula in military recruits. Clin Orthop Surg. 2009 Sep;1(3):161-4. doi: 10.4055/cios.2009.1.3.161. Epub 2009 Aug 17. PMID: 19885052; PMCID: PMC2766750.
- ↑ Rome K, Handoll HH, Ashford R. Interventions for preventing and treating stress fractures and stress reactions of bone of the lower limbs in young adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;2005(2):CD000450. doi:
