High-risk stress fractures: pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment.
High-risk stress fractures require precise assessment and treatment because of their propensity for delayed union, nonunion, or complete fracture and their resulting disabling complications. Proper diagnosis necessitates a thorough clinical evaluation, centering on the patient's diet and history, particularly the training regimen. For a definitive diagnosis, plain radiography, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imagery (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are helpful, and each plays a specific role. High-risk stress fractures typically require aggressive treatment such as nonweight-bearing immobilization coupled with therapy and often surgery.
Murray
Steven R
SR
Department of Kinesiology, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, CO 81501, USA. smurrey@2mesastate.edu
Reeder
Michael T
MT
Udermann
Brian E
BE
Pettitt
Robert W
RW
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed