[Fatigue fractures: apropos of 8 cases]

Eight cases of fatigue fracture were observed by the authors. In two patients, they presented in metatarsal bones; others were in the lower end of the tibia, in the shaft of the fibula, in the patella, at the upper end of the fibula, in the shaft to the tibia and in the neck of the femur. The main features of these fractues, which occurred in previously intact bones, are reviewed. The role of previous muscle imbalance, or metabolic disturbance, (by age or in pregnancy) is discussed. Good results were obtained by simple immobilization. Surgery may be indicated in the two situations: 1. To eliminate the possibility of a bone tumour by biopsy and, 2. For internal fixation in special sites such as the femoral neck to avoid coxa vara or when healing is very slow, as occurs particularly in the femoral shaft.