TITLE:
Stress Fracture of Bilateral Distal Tibia Provoked by Stair Climbing
AUTHORS:
Aydin Arslan, Ali Utkan, Tuba Tulay Koca
KEYWORDS:
Stress Fracture, Tibia, Tibia Distal
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.4 No.10,
October
22,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Stress fractures are fatigue-induced, very small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive application of force and most often seen in the weight-bearing bones of the lower extremities of athletes or military recruits. Case Report: A 47-year-old postmenopausal and heavy smoker woman complained of localized sensitivity on the distal-anterior and medial surfaces of both tibiae, which had been ongoing for 1 month. She moved to a flat at 5th-floor without an elevator a year ago. Bilateral stress fractures were diagnosed by radiographs and confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). She was suggested to restrict activities and to use crutches until the symptoms subsided. Bilateral ankle joint pneumatic brace with full heel support was applied. The patient was followed one year after diagnosis. At the 2-month follow-up examination, the patient was pain free and planning to move to a new house. Conclusions: Several risk factors have been defined in the pathogenesis of stress fracture. In the present case, the acute phase had passed and diagnosis could be made from the direct radiographs. Although extremely rarely seen, tibia distal stress fracture should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of patients with the relevant risk factors who present with tibia distal localized pain.