STRESS-FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA - A COMPLICA TION OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Purpose of study Transverse stress fractures of the proximal tibia are associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. This uncommon complicatio n is presented in this case report as a non-union form along with a li terature review. Case report A fifty nine year old black African woman who had a thirteen-year history of osteoarthritis in both knees, was seen for increasing pain in the proximal part of the left leg without demonstrative traumatism. This homemaker measured 155 cm for 85 kgs. C linical and radiological examination revealed a non-united stress frac ture of the proximal part of the tibia and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee with varus deformity (40 degrees on the left). A compression plate with bone grafting was used for treatment of the tibial non-uni on.Discussion Eleven other cases have been published on the rhumatolog ical and orthopaedical literature. All the twelve patients were female , elderly, overweight, had marked varus deformities and a long history of osteoarthritis of the knee. A non-united stress fracture was a com plication of osteoarthritis in four cases and treated with a compressi on plate. Conclusion Stress fractures of the proximal tibia are an unu sual mechanical and an uncommun complication of osteoarthritis of the knee. Biomechanic is perhaps one of the possible explication of these tibial stress fractures.