Abstract des Autors

Shin splint syndrome, or tibial periostitis, is frequently invoked in long distance runners, particularly when scintigraphy shows extensive tibial uptake in subjects complaining of chronic leg pain. Standard radiograms may be normal or reveal a periosteal image along the diaphysis. There is some controversy as to the pathophysiology of this condition. Certain observations would suggest that tibial periostitis is simply a satellite manifestation of longitudinal fracture of the tibia. We observed this phenomenon in a 25-year-old marathon runner who had a painful syndrome involving the two tibias, initially considered to be a shin splint syndrome because of the periosteal reaction seen on standard x-ray and the tibial pattern of scintigraphic uptake. The computed tomographic exploration with thin sections and 3D reconstruction visualized an interruption in the posterior cortical. Cure was obtained by rest eliminating all tibial loading. Shin splint syndrome, or tibial periostitis, could be a visible manifestation of longitudinal stress fracture. CT-scan with millimetric thin sections of the tibial diaphysis and 3D reconstruction may be required for diagnosis. Verf.-Referat