Bilateral tibial stress fractures: a case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Stress fractures result from repetitive mechanical stress, commonly affecting weight-bearing bones.
• Etiology is debated, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
• Proximal tibial stress fractures occur in elderly patients and children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an unusual case of bilateral proximal tibial insufficiency stress fractures in a young adult.
• To emphasize the importance of considering stress fractures in young adults with spontaneous knee pain.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a young, fit adult male.
• Clinical presentation and diagnostic considerations.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with simultaneous bilateral proximal tibial insufficiency stress fractures.
• This presentation is unusual for a young, fit individual.

Conclusions:

• Stress fractures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous knee pain in young, fit adults.
• This case underscores the variability in stress fracture presentation.