Bilateral stress fractures of the ulnae in a Kendo (Japanese fencing) player

Effect of Long-Term Use of Bisphosphonates on Forearm Bone: Atypical Ulna Fractures in Elderly Woman with Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common musculoskeletal disease of the elderly population characterized by decreased bone mineral density and subsequent fractures. Bisphosphonates are a widely accepted drug therapy which act through inhibition of bone resorption and prevent fractures. However, in long-term use, atypical bisphosphonate induced fractures may occur, particularly involving the lower weight bearing extremity. Atypical ulna fracture associated with long-term bisphosphonate use is rarely reported in current literature. We present a 62-year-old woman with atypical ulna due to long-term alendronate therapy without a history of trauma or fall. Clinicians should be aware of stress fracture in a patient who has complaints of upper extremity pain and history of long-term bisphosphonate therapy.

Stress fracture of ulna due to excessive push-ups

Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower extremities and spine, but are rarely found in non-weight-bearing bones of the body. Stress fracture of the ulna is extremely rare. We report a case of complete stress fracture of ulna caused due to excessive push ups in a young athlete. Conservative management was successful in healing of fracture and returning this patient back to his previous activity level. Physician should have high index of suspicion, whenever they encounter a young athlete complaining of forearm pain.

An unusual stress fracture in an archer with hypophosphatasia

We report a 45-year-old male archer with stress fracture in his left ulna on the background of adult type of hypophosphatasia. The patient presented to several medical centers for pain around the left elbow and received medical treatment upon diagnosis of tenosynovitis. History of the patient revealed that he had had diagnosis of hypophosphatasia ten years ago and underwent percutaneous screwing for stress fracture on both of his femoral necks. Upon finding nondisplaced stress fracture on proximal metaphysis of the ulna on X-ray, the patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to exclude pathological causes. No additional pathology was observed in MRI scanning. The patient's sportive activities were restricted for 6 weeks and he received conservative management with arm slings. Adult type of hypophosphatasia is a disease manifesting with widespread osteoporosis and presenting with low serum level of alkali phosphatase (ALP). Stress fracture should definitely be considered in the patients with history of hypophosphatasia and refractory extremity pain.

Bilateral ulna fractures associated with bisphosphonate therapy

We report a case of bilateral ulna stress fractures following bilateral femoral fractures associated with long-term bisphosphonate use. The patient is an 84-year-old woman receiving 15 years of bisphosphonate therapy. She did not have any preexisting medical conditions which are known secondary causes of bone loss. She was mostly housebound and used a walking frame for ambulation. She presented with atraumatic right ulna pain and subsequent atraumatic left ulna pain a month later. She was treated conservatively in backslabs and her bisphosphonate was stopped. Investigations did not reveal any secondary causes of osteoporosis or metabolic bone disorders.

Bilateral stress fractures of the ulna in a young adolescent

We present a case of bilateral ulnar stress fractures in a young male adolescent (15 years old) due to honour guard training and discuss the possible mechanism of this injury. In addition to acquisition of medical history, physical examination and plain radiography, we performed MRI to exclude pathological causes and confirm the plain radiographic findings, indicating stress reactions. Ulnar stress fractures are bone injuries caused by repetitive muscle pull and the reaction of supporting tissues. In honour guard training, the acceleration due to gravity and chronic torsional stress may also contribute to overloading. Thus, such fractures are best managed by avoiding overloading. In addition, we review the literature on stress fractures of the ulnar shaft to map this special kind of fracture.

Spontaneous bilateral distal ulna fracture: an unusual complication in a rheumatoid patient

Bilateral ulna stress fractures are extremely rare. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have osteopenic bone secondary to a variety of causes. We report a case of bilateral stress fractures of the ulna in an elderly patient with rheumatoid arthritis, and literature on this condition is reviewed. Prompt recognition and activity modification are essential to treat this rare injury. Recovery can take up to 12 weeks.

Proximal ulna stress fracture and stress reaction of the proximal radius associated with the use of crutches: a case report and literature review

We report a case of complete stress fracture of the ulna and stress reaction of the radius resulting from the use of crutches in an overweight patient with severe lower extremity arthritis. Plain radiograph showed an undisplaced complete fracture of the proximal metaphysis of the ulna. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to exclude a pathological cause in view of the unusual fracture site, which confirmed the plain radiographic findings and additionally demonstrated a stress reaction in the proximal radius. There are three cases of stress fracture of the ulnar diaphysis resulting from the use of crutches reported previously in the English literature and a further case of bilaterally symmetrical ulnar diaphysial fracture reported in the Danish literature. We report the first case of ulnar metaphysis stress fracture with concomitant stress reaction of the radius.

Stress fracture at the junction of the middle and distal third of the ulnar diaphysis in a spinner bowler: a case report and a review of the literature

Stress fractures of the ulnar shaft are uncommon injuries, which have been documented in a variety of sports. The location of the fracture is influenced by the activity and mechanism of injury with which it is associated. The combined traditional approach of clinical history, physical examination, plain radiographs and nuclear scintigraphy for unusual stress fracture may be troublesome. This report is the first to describe a stress fracture at the junction of the middle and distal third of the ulnar diaphysis in a bowler due to chronic torsional stress. We discuss the possible mechanism of injury and describe the diagnostic imaging. A review of the literature is also given and compared with the findings and data of this case.

Ulnar stress reaction from crutch use following amputation for tibial osteosarcoma

Stress fractures of the ulnar diaphysis occur most commonly in association with upper-limb dominated sports. Their occurrence in association with crutch use is rare. Following a review of the world literature we report the third such case in a patient using crutches following above knee amputation for recurrent tibial osteosarcoma. MRI was performed to rule out metastatic disease.