Best Practice Case Studies-Stress Fracture

Pdf Summary

A stress fracture is a gradual injury resulting from excessive force applied to a bone, rather than from a sudden trauma. These fractures are prevalent in the lower extremities, such as the tibia, foot's metatarsal bones, and the femoral neck at the hip, but can occur anywhere, including in the upper extremities of athletes involved in activities like gymnastics and overhead sports.<br /><br />Risk factors for stress fractures include repetitive high-impact exercise, sudden increases in training volume or intensity, poor-fitting athletic equipment, low bone density, female athlete triad, and poor nutrition. Symptoms typically start with activity-related pain that can progress to affect daily tasks.<br /><br />Diagnosing a stress fracture involves a sports medicine physician reviewing the athlete's training history, specifically looking for recent changes in activity type, intensity, and frequency. While X-rays are usually performed, they might not always detect stress fractures early on, so MRIs, CT scans, or bone scans may be needed for confirmation.<br /><br />Treatment usually involves immobilization with a cast or walking boot, possibly with crutches, for about 4-6 weeks, followed by a carefully monitored return to activity. Certain stress fractures may require surgical intervention, particularly those considered high-risk.<br /><br />Injury prevention strategies include monitoring training schedules, limiting impact activities, gradually increasing physical activity, ensuring proper equipment fit, optimizing training surfaces, and maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D intake alongside a well-balanced diet.<br /><br />The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) recommends a comprehensive approach for both diagnosis and return to play, emphasizing complete rest for recovery and a gradual increase in activity post-recovery. AMSSM comprises primarily of primary care physicians with sports medicine expertise, involved in educating, researching, and caring for athletes across various levels.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 18

Topic Foot

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 18

3rd Edition

Foot

stress fracture

lower extremities

risk factors

sports medicine

diagnosis

treatment

injury prevention

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

athletes

recovery