Stress Fractures in Athletes

Featuring Dr. Patrick Ling, MD, MPH, FCFP (EM), DipSportMed, RMSK, Sports Medicine Physician Stress Fractures in Athletes Duration: 2 minute, 16 seconds,

Stress fracture is a term used to describe bony or osseous injuries.

They occur in athletes who are involved with repetitive activities, such as runners, track and field athletes, dancers, and anyone who is involved with a degree of training and running.

Stress fractures or stress injuries present with pain over the overlying bone. Initially, the pain is resolve with rest. However, with repetitive activities and stress on the bones, the pain becomes unremittent or constant.

Stress fractures are diagnosed based upon clinical suspicious, a good history, and imaging. X-ray imaging is okay for identifying the late stages of stress fracture but is not ideal.

Bone scanning can be used. However, it lacks the specificity for determining the location and the severity of illness.

Ultrasounds, in particular MSK ultrasound, can identify some of the bony reaction that can occur. However, MRI is considered the standard for evaluating the severity and grade of an osseous or stress injury.

The mainstay for treatment of stress fractures is immobilization, activity modification, and pain control. In some instances, the stress fracture may not heal adequately.

In that case, it may go on to nonunion. In those cases, there may be an indication for ultrasound or low-intensity ultrasound as a bone stimulator to facilitate union or healing of the bone. In some cases, surgery may even be indicated for treatment of nonunion stress fractures.

If you have any questions about the treatment of stress fractures, please consult with your local family physician, orthopedic surgeon, or sports medicine specialists.

Presenter: Dr. Patrick Ling, Sports Medicine Physician, Saskatoon, SK

Local Practitioners: Sports Medicine Physician