r/Orthopedics

X-ray showed a tibial stress fracture, but MRI was completely negative — has anyone experienced this?

I’m an female ultrarunner and I’ve been having pain in my tibia on and off since March 2025. Sometimes it’s just an aching pain, but at times I’ve had quite sharp, localized pain in the shin. I’ve also noticed a small, palpable bump on the tibia in the painful area.

Recently, I had an X-ray because of the persistent symptoms. The radiologist’s report described a subtle horizontal radiolucent line reaching the cortex on the anterior side of the tibia, which was interpreted as being consistent with a stress fracture.

However, I subsequently had an MRI, and the MRI did not show a stress fracture or any other abnormality in the tibia.

I’ve now seen an orthopedist, who told me that there is nothing wrong with the tibia and that I can run again.

I’m confused because I’ve had quite localized pain for a long time, there is still a small bump that I can feel, and the X-ray appeared to show a fracture line, while the MRI was completely negative.

Has anyone else had an X-ray that looked positive for a tibial stress fracture but a negative MRI? Could the finding on the X-ray have been an old/healed fracture line or something else that mimicked a stress fracture?

I’d really appreciate hearing from other runners, especially ultrarunners, who have experienced something similar.

Three months ago I had a surfing accident, twisted my foot real bad, and was diagnosed with mild Lisfranc injury. Was told to stay in boot for two months then start walking, after three months my load bearing x ray showed a 4.5 mm displacement and I was told I need surgery.

I have to choose between tight rope surgery or fusion.. Even though my foot feels ok but several Drs think I have to do surgery otherwise my foot will develop arthritis..

Did anyone have a successful tight rope surgery after months of injury?

Could somone give me opinion how bad it is ? and is it possible, to heal on its own? its 2cm displaced. although i am feeling fine now, all finger hand movements etc. was in for surgery today but got delayed till tomorrow. i know my dad had something similar and it healed for him. the surgeons here in germany are saying that i should do surgery otherwise no more of the shoulder movements, been reading so much about it and can't really decide anymore. i am 36 yeas. pretty healthy other than that. had broken bones before wrist and fingers what not. always kind of never bothered going to the doctor. for this case i would have stated home to but people talked me into going to er. now i am all comfused. its a bike accidend.

https://preview.redd.it/ss4vom6oehkh1.png?width=1168&format=png&auto=webp&s=b93f5e43b71e1a349909bb8ffcfb420a9cd1c431

https://preview.redd.it/hs5er5yaehkh1.png?width=1609&format=png&auto=webp&s=0222b4474e775576b8612a135128bf1734d9f2c2

So I’m 22 recently come off a motorcycle at around 60-70mph, I fractured every bone apart from one in my entire foot and had to have surgery on this with k wires in place until Tuesday next week when these being removed. I’m after any information on when I can return to my hobbies, I used to go to the gym a lot and boxing/ kickboxing so wondered when I’d be able to get back to these? Any information is helpful

Good day everyone,

I had a partial tear in my right arm pec and underwent an MRI ultrasound and other tests. The tear was quite high up. However, the professor recommended a conservative approach. It’s been three months now and the haematoma fluids and oedema have all gone. I’ve done a lot of physiotherapy.

Today I visited the professor again and complained about my biceps. They’re involved in literally all my movements and feel tense. I also have a string under my armpit that pops out when I do chest butterfly or push forward. The professor said it’ll take up to a year for the scar tissue to strengthen and the string will return to normal but not completely. Is that true? Will I regain my strength?

I feel very stiff when I do pushups and can barely reach five now.

Has anyone experienced this injury with conservative treatment and recovered well enough to return to normal sports? I’d love to hear your experiences. Is it too late to consider surgery again?

Just had surgery yesterday for pec major tendon complete rupture. Surgeon reattached tendon. Day after surgery even taking 10mg oxycodone at a time with 1000mg Tylenol, occasional gabapentin and ice still very painful once nerve block wore off. Any input on how others pain was after surgery and how long it lasts.

Thanks!

Hello ! I broke my elbow in 2023 during a biking trip and had a cast for few months then I went back to normal life. Last month, I had a bad fall and had to use my hand to avoid hitting my face and my arm had been hurting a lot lately. My X-Ray came clean. I am worried about myself.

Hi all - booked in to have surgery soon. Was hoping to hear other experiences and recovery.

Symptoms- no acute pain. Wrist pops and shifts out of place. Lifting a pot of water it will pop out. Still no pain though. Push ups eventually cause pain in dorsal. Fairly functional but definitely compensate from lifting items properly. Lifting weights is fine if I’m keeping my wrist very straight.

TFCC tear no pain anymore. It was a partial and healed however certain positions the cartilage grinds so I’m also compensating movements.

Main concern is grinding down the cartilage and bones which will cause arthritis bone disease etc.

Surgeon will go in arthroscopic and decide the approach after he goes in. He does not plan to use a tendon graph.

How was your surgery and recovery? Was yours symptoms worse or better than mine? Are you still active with sports/gym/gaming/guitar etc ? Any regrets?

Thanks!

Back pain since 3 years *
I have my pain since 2023 August ig and I am currently 19 and it’s getting worse with time . I have pain in lower back si joint and tail bone ,my left pains more than right like while walking or sitting it increases and now when sitting or resting tail bone also hurts and stiffness comes till neck and randomly my legs gets locked then I can’t move an inch even when I stretch a little or something sharp pain happens and sometimes randomly I feel like someone is drilling my back and even when resting it pains in waves .

In last 3 years I have tried to see every good doctor possible , I went to local ortho first , max , fortis ,aiims delhi ,Manipal ,apollo in xray everything is normal and my latest mri says -
• loss of lordosis
• mild disc desiccation at l4-l5

My doctor says that everything is fine but now my pain has become unbearable , no painkillers reduces my pain even I tried physiotherapy for months and my pain got worse