Medial malleolar stress fractures. Literature review, diagnosis, and treatment.

Medial malleolar stress fractures are relatively uncommon injuries that can be quite debilitating and disabling. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnostic aids, pathomechanics, and management of medial malleolar stress fractures. Using three cases, the authors illustrate nonoperative versus operative treatments in an athlete and the influence of an in-season versus an off-season injury. A percutaneous cannulated screw fixation procedure is described that allowed an athlete to return to competition 24 days after sustaining a displaced medial malleolar stress fracture.