Asymptomatic tibial stress reactions: MRI detection and clinical follow-up in distance runners.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was twofold: to determine if asymptomatic elite distance runners exhibit stress reactions of the tibia on MR images and to determine if the presence of bone stress lesions predicts later development of symptomatic tibial stress injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
Signs of a tibial stress reaction were found on MRI in 43% of the 21 asymptomatic college distance runners in this study. The presence of these changes was not found to be a predictor of future tibial stress reactions or stress fractures. Our findings underscore the importance of correlating MRI findings with clinical findings before making therapeutic decisions.
Bergman
A Gabrielle
AG
Department of Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford, CA 94305-5105, USA.
Fredericson
Michael
M
Ho
Charles
C
Matheson
Gordon O
GO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012420:Running; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology*