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Sacral stress fractures in athletes
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Sacral stress fractures can cause low back and buttock pain in female athletes. Diagnosis often requires bone scintigraphy due to normal X-rays, but rest allows healing and return to sport.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
Background:
- Low back and buttock pain are common complaints in runners, posing diagnostic challenges.
- Sacral stress fractures are an increasingly recognized cause, particularly in young female athletes.
Observation:
- Three cases of sacral stress fractures in women athletes presented with low back and/or buttock pain.
- Initial plain radiographs were normal in all reported cases.
Findings:
- Bone scintigraphy is the preferred diagnostic method for sacral stress fractures.
- Computed tomography aids in evaluating potential neoplasms and fracture healing.
Implications:
- Physicians should consider sacral stress fractures in running athletes with persistent sacral/buttock pain unresponsive to treatment.
- Rest is an effective treatment, enabling athletes to return to their previous level of sports activity.