Sacral Stress Fracture in a Runner: A Case Report

Stress fractures result from cyclic overload and usually affect the bones of the lower extremities. These stress fractures occur most often in athletes and in members of the military. These fractures, which are also known as fatigue fractures, are susceptible to repeated trauma and typically involve the metatarsal bones, femur, tibia, fibula, pelvis or spine. The few cases of sacral stress fractures that have been described in the literature involve young, physically active patients, usually females. Sacral stress fractures are considered a rare occurrence, and the diagnosis of these fractures is often delayed because the main identifying symptom, lower back pain, is highly prevalent in the general population. A stress fracture should be considered as a possible source of pain if the pain is associated with overuse while walking or running. Herein, we report the case of a female runner with a stress fracture who complained of lower back pain that was aggravated by performing the single-foot stance.