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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
09:32
Subject-specific Musculoskeletal Model for Studying Bone Strain During Dynamic Motion
Published on: April 11, 2018
Stress fractures in the athlete
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Stress fractures are common in athletes and often require high clinical suspicion for diagnosis due to vague symptoms. While most heal with conservative treatment, some specific fractures may need surgery, and risk factors should be addressed.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Stress fractures are prevalent injuries among athletes.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to subtle clinical presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic approaches for stress fractures.
- To discuss treatment strategies and preventive measures for athletic stress fractures.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic modalities including bone scans, MR imaging, and CT scans.
- Analysis of treatment outcomes for surgical and nonsurgical interventions.
Main Results:
- Bone scans are the gold standard for diagnosing stress fractures.
- Most stress fractures respond well to conservative (nonsurgical) management.
- Specific fractures, such as those in the proximal fifth metatarsal or femoral neck, may necessitate surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for athletes with stress fractures.
- Addressing modifiable risk factors and implementing preventive strategies are essential for reducing recurrence.
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