Geliş Tarihi / Date Received: 27.01.2017. Kabul Tarihi / Date Accepted: 15.02.2017. Yayın Tarihi / Published Online: 20.07.2017.
Yazışma Adresi / Corresponding Author: Seçkin Şenışık, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine,
İzmir, Turkey. Email: seckinsnsk@gmail.com
©2017 Türkiye Spor Hekimleri Derneği. Tüm hakları saklıdır.
Case Report / Olgu Sunumu
Spor Hekimliği Dergisi 52(2): 70-76, 2017
Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine
DOI: 10.5152/tjsm.2017.072
Stress Fracture of the Pubic Ramus in a Female Long
Distance Runner: A Case Report
Seçkin Şenışık, Metin Ergün
Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Stress fractures are overuse injuries of the bone caused by continuous repetitive submaximal stress
over time. They constitute 0.7-20% of all sports injuries and are mainly seen in tibia, metatarsal
bones and fibula. Pelvic stress fractures are rare (1-2%) and mostly seen in female long distance
runners. Common complaints are groin, hip and thigh pain increasing with weight bearing activities.
A 41 years old recreational female runner was admitted to the clinic with chronic groin pain lasting
for about eight months. She was performing running training on hard surfaces at high intensity
for a long time and firstly she was admitted to the Orthopaedic and Traumatology clinic with
groin pain. MR images have shown non-displaced fracture of the right ischium. There has been
no relief with medication and rest, then the athlete was admitted to another clinic. X-ray and
bone scintigraphy confirmed fracture line at the right superior pubic ramus and right ischium.
Blood analysis has revealed low level of 25-OH vitamin D (13 ng/ml). Vitamin D3 supplementation
has been prescribed for three months, and then the athlete has started 1 km daily slow running
trainings. Due to exacerbation of pain during running, athlete was admitted to our clinic. Physical
examination revealed normal posture and range of motion, and there were no swelling, inflammation
and neurological signs and symptoms. As pelvis MRI and CT images confirmed healing, and 25-
OH vitamin D level returned to normal limits, the athlete has then started trainings. Training
volume has been increased gradually. Full recovery was achieved at the end of the third month,
as there were no complaints during daily activities and training.
Stress fractures of the pelvis should be included in the differential diagnosis of female distance
runners who have prolonged groin pain increasing with exercise. Detailed medical history, phys-
ical examination, blood tests, and radiological images are keys to reach certain diagnosis.
Treatment plan should include risk factor analysis and progressive training programs.
Keywords: Athlete, pelvic stress fracture, 25-OH vitamin D
Available at: http://journalofsportsmedicine.org and http://dx.doi.org/10.5152/tjsm.2017.072
Cite this article as: Senisik S, Ergün M. Stress fracture of the pubic ramus in a female long dis-
tance runner: A case report. Turk J Sports Med. 2017;52:70-6.