Stress Fractures in Children

Stress fractures are microscopic disruptions of bone integrity that can occur in both children and adults. In pediatric patients, these injuries most commonly affect the lower extremities, particularly the tibia and metatarsals. Children involved in high-impact, running-intensive sports are at increased risk. Diagnosis can be challenging, as the microscopic nature of stress fractures makes them difficult to detect on radiographs. Advanced imaging modalities such as MRI and bone scintigraphy offer greater sensitivity for early detection. Because stress fractures typically do not result in displacement, treatment is generally conservative and includes activity modification, rest, and, in some cases, immobilization.