Imaging of stress fractures in the athlete

Osseous stress injuries in athletes represent a spectrum of injuries ranging from accelerated remodeling to overt stress fracture. The diagnosis of these injuries can usually be made with an accurate clinical history and sequential radiographs. MR imaging, bone scintigraphy, and CT can be extremely valuable in confirming the diagnosis, and defining extent and severity of injury. This article will discuss possible mechanisms of osseous stress injury in athletes and review the clinical and diagnostic imaging characteristics of these injuries. Several specific stress fractures that occur in athletes will be highlighted.