Stress lesions of the lower leg and foot

Technetium 99 methylene diphosphonate scans were performed on 32 patients with suspected stress fractures. Twenty-six patients had abnormal scans, 13 had abnormal X-rays and on these only nine had either fresh periosteal new bone and/or a fracture line. A logical approach of the use of X-ray and radionuclide techniques in patient management is suggested.