Postpartum sacral stress fracture: a case report

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016 Apr 30:16:96. doi: 10.1186/s12884-016-0873-4.

Abstract

Background: Stress fractures are classified as insufficiency and fatigue fractures. Insufficiency fractures occur when normal stresses are placed on bone with decreased mineralization and elastic resistance; whereas fatigue fractures occur when abnormal forces are applied to normal bone.

Case presentation: We report a case of postpartum bilateral sacral fracture in the absence of documented osteoporosis in a 30 year old Lebanese female, thus satisfying the classification of fatigue fractures. Clinical presentation was mainly low back pain, pelvic pain, and abnormal gait.

Conclusions: This case stresses the importance of including sacral fractures in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with similar symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period.

Keywords: Back pain; Postpartum; Pregnancy; Sacrum; Stress fracture.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fractures, Stress / complications
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / etiology
  • Postpartum Period*
  • Pregnancy
  • Sacrum / injuries*