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Stress Fractures in Female Runners

Diagnostic Testing for Stress Fractures

Possible Tests to Consider

X-ray: Usually negative, but x-rays can detect late stage stress fractures or chronic stress fractures. They are positive only several weeks after the stress fracture and sometimes the X-ray is still negative.

Bone scan: Detects a stress fracture in the acute or chronic stage. The amount of cellular functioning is viewed and there is increased uptake of radioactive material in stress fracture areas.

MRI: Detects a stress fracture in acute or chronic stage and shows a well-delineated fracture line.

If the physician sends the physical therapist a script that indicates the X-ray came back negative, should the physical therapist assume there is no fracture or stress fracture?

A. Yes
B. No

The Patient's Diagnostic Test Results

The x-ray came back positive and a bone scan was ordered to confirm the x-ray's findings. The bone scan came back positive.

Patient's Diagnosis

Stress fracture in the ® tibia.