Minimally Invasive Screw Fixation of Inferior Pubic Ramus Stress Fracture Nonunion in a Runner: A Case Report

Vitamin D and Stress Fractures in Sport: Preventive and Therapeutic Measures-A Narrative Review

There are numerous risk factors for stress fractures that have been identified in literature. Among different risk factors, a prolonged lack of vitamin D (25(OH)D) can lead to stress fractures in athletes since 25(OH)D insufficiency is associated with an increased incidence of a fracture. A 25(OH)D value of <75.8 nmol/L is a risk factor for a stress fracture. 25(OH)D deficiency is, however, only one of several potential risk factors. Well-documented risk factors for a stress fracture include female sex, white ethnicity, older age, taller stature, lower aerobic fitness, prior physical inactivity, greater amounts of current physical training, thinner bones, 25(OH)D deficiency, iron deficiency, menstrual disturbances, and inadequate intake of 25(OH)D and/or calcium. Stress fractures are not uncommon in athletes and affect around 20% of all competitors. Most athletes with a stress fracture are under 25 years of age. Stress fractures can affect every sporty person, from weekend athletes to top athletes. Stress fractures are common in certain sports disciplines such as basketball, baseball, athletics, rowing, soccer, aerobics, and classical ballet. The lower extremity is increasingly affected for stress fractures with the locations of the tibia, metatarsalia and pelvis. Regarding prevention and therapy, 25(OH)D seems to play an important role. Athletes should have an evaluation of 25(OH)D -dependent calcium homeostasis based on laboratory tests of 25-OH-D3, calcium, creatinine, and parathyroid hormone. In case of a deficiency of 25(OH)D, normal blood levels of ≥30 ng/mL may be restored by optimizing the athlete's lifestyle and, if appropriate, an oral substitution of 25(OH)D. Very recent studies suggested that the prevalence of stress fractures decreased when athletes are supplemented daily with 800 IU 25(OH)D and 2000 mg calcium. Recommendations of daily 25(OH)D intake may go up to 2000 IU of 25(OH)D per day.

Stress Fractures of the Hip and Pelvis

Stress fractures refer to overuse injuries of bone resulting from repetitive mechanical stress. Stress fractures of the hip and pelvic region, while relatively uncommon, have become increasingly recognized in certain populations, particularly long-distance runners and military recruits. The diagnosis of such injuries can be challenging, often hampered by a nonspecific physical examination and limited sensitivity of plain radiography. Early recognition is important to direct appropriate management, lessen time lost from sport, and avoid potential complications. The present article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of bone stress injuries of the hip and pelvis, specifically the sacrum, pubic ramus, and femoral neck.

A screw-view model of navigation aid retrograde transpubic screw fixation for anterior pelvic ring fracture: A case report with 28 months follow-up and technical note

RATIONALE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a retrograde transpubic screw fixation assisted by a screw-view model of navigation in treating a pelvic fracture.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 30-year-old female patient injured in a motor vehicle accident, displayed symptoms characterized by swelling and pain of the pudendum.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with a fracture of the pubic ramus.

INTERVENTIONS

We used a screw-view model of navigation to assist our retrograde transpubic screw fixation in this patient.

OUTCOMES

In total, 2 screws were inserted into the bilateral pubic ramus and both were excellently positioned. It took 7.4 minutes to design the screws, 8.1 minutes to implant the guidewire, and 39.3 minutes to place the screws. Intraoperative blood loss amounted to 21 mL and the total fluoroscopic time was 3.8 minutes. No clinical complications, such as neurologic, vascular, or urologic injury, infection, screw loosening, or loss of reduction, were found after the operation. Follow-up lasted 28 months.

LESSONS

The outcome of our study suggests that the screw-view model of navigation maximizes the retrograde transpubic screw insertion accuracy in the treatment of a pubic ramus fracture, which is made efficient by pain relief and early out-of-bed mobilization. Our suggestion is, therefore, that the relative position between the pubic ramus and the patient tracker must be static to ensure the accuracy of the entire system throughout the operation.