title: Stress fractures about the tibia, foot, and ankle.
abstract: In competitive athletes, stress fractures of the tibia, foot, and ankle are common and lead to considerable delay in return to play. Factors such as bone vascularity, training regimen, and equipment can increase the risk of stress fracture. Management is based on the fracture site. In some athletes, metabolic workup and medication are warranted. High-risk fractures, including those of the anterior tibial diaphysis, navicular, proximal fifth metatarsal, and medial malleolus, present management challenges and may require surgery, especially in high-level athletes who need to return to play quickly. Noninvasive treatment modalities such as pulsed ultrasound and extracorporeal shock wave therapy may have some benefit but require additional research.
authors.affiliation: Summit Medical Group, Morristown, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shindle
authors.forename: Yoshimi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Russell F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Helfet
authors.forename: Elliott N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy