Stress fracture of the second proximal phalanx of the foot in teenage athletes: Unrecognized location of stress fracture

BACKGROUND: Adolescent athletes are a high-risk population for stress fractures. We report four cases of stress fractures of the second proximal phalanx, which had not been previously diagnosed as the location of the stress fracture of the foot, in teenage athletes. CASE REPORT: All fractures were on the plantar side of the proximal phalangeal base, and the oblique images of the plain radiograph clearly depicted the fractures. Notably, three out of the four patients had histories of stress fracture of other locations. While three athletes with acute cases were able to make an early return to play with simple conservative management, the chronic case required surgical treatment for this rare injury. CONCLUSION: Although a rare injury, it is important that clinicians be aware of this type of stress fracture, as a timely diagnosis can avoid the need for surgical treatment and allow an early return to play.