Bilateral stress fracture of the fibulae and periostitis of the tibiae

Abstract

Objective: This study describes a unique case of bilateral stress fractures of the fibulae and provides a literature review. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 16-year-old female badminton player presented with pain around the bilateral distal lateral legs. She had mild bilateral varus deformity at the knee joint, and the bilateral ankles showed valgus deformity in standing posture. Radiographs and computed tomography showed periosteal reactions on the bilateral distal fibulae. Technetium-99m bone scintigraphy demonstrated increased uptake in the bilateral distal fibulae and the bilateral middle third of the tibiae. A diagnosis of bilateral distal fibular stress fractures was made. She was advised to stop playing badminton until the symptoms disappeared. Conclusion: Varus deformity of the knee and valgus deformity of the ankle may have influenced the mechanism underlying bilateral symmetric stress fractures. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.