TRAUMATIC FIBULAR SHAFT FRACTURES IN ATHLETES

A direct blow to the leg resulted in fibular shaft fractures in three elite college athletes participating in contact sports. None of the at hletes had prior symptoms suggestive of a stress fracture. All three a thletes had benign-appearing fractures and were treated nonoperatively . Ultimate heating was delayed, occurring on average at 23 weeks, and each case was complicated by refracture. Fractures of the fibular shaf t in athletes may require more aggressive treatment than other simple fractures to allow sufficient healing to withstand the rigors of athle tics.