Stress fractures around the knee

Clin Sports Med. 2006 Jan;25(1):105-15, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2005.08.002.

Abstract

Stress fractures of the lower extremities are common, especially in the younger athletic population. The current literature consists mainly a variety of case reports but is devoid of any sizeable series of knee stress fracture investigations. Diagnosing a stress fracture around the knee can be a challenge. The proximity of the stress fracture to the knee joint may lead the clinician to investigate intra-articular or other periarticular pathology. The differential diagnosis can be large, including bursitis, tendonitis, mechanical causes, insufficiency fracture, and tumor. A high index of suspicion is necessary to confirm the underlying diagnosis. A patient's medical history combined with a physical examination and imaging modalities will aid the physician in arriving at the diagnosis of stress fracture.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Athletic Injuries / physiopathology
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Child
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnosis
  • Femoral Fractures / physiopathology
  • Femoral Fractures / therapy
  • Fibula / injuries
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnosis*
  • Fractures, Stress / physiopathology
  • Fractures, Stress / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Knee Injuries / physiopathology
  • Knee Injuries / therapy*
  • Male
  • Patella / injuries
  • Risk Factors
  • Sports Medicine / methods
  • Tibial Fractures / diagnosis
  • Tibial Fractures / physiopathology
  • Tibial Fractures / therapy