[Longitudinal stress fractures of the tibia. Apropos of 3 cases]

Longitudinal stress fractures of the tibia are rare: only 16 cases have been published. We report three cases, in two men aged 54 and 70 years and in one women aged 73. The patients had pain when bearing weight on the affected limb. The pain increased over a few weeks. A diagnosis of arthritis of the ankle joint was entertained in 2 cases. Among the three patients, one was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and had had Ender nails due to fracture of the femoral neck of the same limb. The longest delay for diagnosis was six months. Plain radiographs were normal in two cases. A technetium 99m MDP bone scan showed increased uptake of the whole shaft of the tibia in one patient, on the lower end of the tibia in two others. Computed tomography was performed in two cases and showed the stress fracture. Diagnosis was often delayed because clear changes at plain X-ray examination, periostal reaction often being delayed. Technetium 99m bone scan early showed increased uptake. CT scan showed callus formation and sometimes the fracture itself. MRI has been studied little.