TRACING THE LINE: Radiological Evaluation of Stress Fractures of the Lower Limb.

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

Dr. Preeti Mahesh Sharma, Dr Makarand Patwardhan

OBJECTIVE:– The purpose of this study is to diagnose stress fractures early to prevent bone remodelling, non–union injuries and

loss of function by using various modalities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:– Plain Radiograph, CT scan and MRI of 63 patients imaged with history of of localized pain related

to change in their physical activity or followed by an effort/activity to which they were not accustomed were retrospectively

reviewed for stress fractures. Lesions with both bone injuries and pathological findings on the adjacent soft tissues were taken

into consideration and evaluated further.

RESULTS:–

– The age of the study population ranged from 14 to 73 years.

– Of the sixty–three patients studied, 33 were men and 30 were women. We found 10 mild stress reaction, 19 insufficiency

fractures and 34 stress fractures.

CONCLUSION:–

– The use of CT and MRI is of a great importance for early diagnosis and thus was essential to exclude other causes of bone lesions

that may create confusion in the differential diagnosis of a patient with pain and non–specific abnormalities on plain radiography.

– In the absence of a clear co–relation between repeated stress and pain in an active individual the clinical diagnosis of a stressrelated

bone injury may be troublesome and a possible delay may cause worsening of this condition and further impairment to a

professional athlete.