Stress Fracture of the Proximal Fibula in Military Recruits.
10.4055/cios.2009.1.3.161
- Author:
Seoung Hwan HONG
1
;
In Tak CHU
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. itchu@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Proximal Fibula;
Stress fracture;
Military recruits
- MeSH:
Fibula/*injuries/radiography;
Fractures, Stress/*etiology/radiography;
Humans;
Male;
*Military Personnel;
Physical Exertion;
Republic of Korea;
Resistance Training/adverse effects;
Young Adult
- From:Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
2009;1(3):161-164
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: We wanted to report on stress fracture of the proximal fibula and to suggest the pathomechanism of this fracture. METHODS: Between April 2004 through April 2005, the military recruits who complained of leg pain during the 6 weeks basic training in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps education and training group were evaluated according to their clinical manifestations and plain radiographs. RESULTS: Twelve recruits of 635 recruits who complained leg pain were diagnosed as having fibular stress fracture. Eleven cases (10 recruits) appeared at the junction of the proximal and middle 1/3 of the fibula and 2 cases (2 recruits) were in the middle 1/3 of the fibula, as assessed radiologically. Tenderness was the most reliable clinical manifestation. All the fractures occurred after repetitive walking or jumping in a squatting position. Conservative treatments that included bed rest, immobilization and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs administration according to the symptom severity were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal fibular stress fracture is not rare in military recruits. The shearing force on the proximal fibula and the repetitive stress by walking or jumping in a squatting position contribute to the stress fracture of the proximal fibula.
