Short communication, Note

Tibial stress fracture in handball player

Mladen Miškulin ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb
Goran Vrgoč orcid.org/0000-0002-4541-4659 ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb
Darko Kraguljac ; Department of Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka

Abstract

Aim: Authors present a misdiagnosed case of proximal tibial stress fracture emphasizing
diagnostical and treatment methods. Case report: A 27-year-old international top-level
handball player, presented to us with a stress fracture of the right proximal anterior tibia in
connection with repetitive and excessive stress to lower leg. He plays right wing position and
uses his right leg for jumping. There was no history of previous injuries. We used a new nonoperative
approach in treating a top-level handball player as well as detailed diagnostic monitoring
of both the injury and the recovery. Athlete’s response to the new non-operative approach
was excellent after having been misdiagnosed. Documented monitoring lasted for 3.5
years after the conservative treatment had been finished. Conclusion: The emphasis is put on
the importance of making a diagnosis at the right time and choosing adequate treatment with
the aim of reducing time needed for recovery and returning top-level athletes’ performance
to the same level as prior to injury. Based on a detailed search of relevant literature, the authors
have found that stress fractures have never before been described in handball players.

Keywords

handball player; non-operative treatment; proximal tibia; risk factors; stress fracture

Hrčak ID:

98616

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/98616

Publication date:

4.3.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.745 *