Postpartum sacral fracture presenting as lumbar radiculopathy: a case report.
Although rare, sacral stress fractures may occur in pregnant women, and osteoporosis of pregnancy is a poorly understood entity. We present the case of a young, postpartum, recreational runner who developed low back pain (LBP) and radicular symptoms suggestive of L5 radiculopathy found to be secondary to sacral stress fracture. The patient had a good clinical outcome after several months and was able to resume her normal activities. This case illustrates that clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for sacral stress fracture in athletic pregnant or postpartum women presenting with LBP and/or lumbar radiculopathy. Also included are a brief review of osteoporosis in pregnancy and guidelines on the diagnosis and management of sacral stress fractures.
Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Julie T
JT
Lin
Gregory E
GE
Lutz
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016138:Walking / Q000293:injuries; D016474:Weight-Bearing