Stress fractures of the ribs in elite competitive rowers: a report of nine cases.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to report the clinical and imaging patterns of nine cases of stress fractures of the rib diagnosed in Italian Olympic rowers.


METHODS
Nine patients with stress fractures of the rib detected from 103 (8.7%) Italian team rowers competing between May 2000 and May 2006 were identified based on the database of a sports medicine institute. All athletes were male. They were aged between 17 and 31 years (mean: 24.4). Patient weight, fracture location, rowing side and imaging methods employed were noted.


RESULTS
The diagnosis was made based on history, clinical examination and Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy. Eight of the 9 fractures were located anterolaterally between the fourth and ninth rib. In 1 of the 5 athletes with standard radiographs, a fracture line was visible and in 4 there was callus formation. In 2 athletes sonography was performed, which detected discontinuity of the rib surface and callus formation (1 case each).


CONCLUSIONS
Stress fractures of the ribs are relatively common in competitive rowers. They are characterized by increasing lateral chest pain and typical scintigraphic, radiographic and sonographic findings.
Dragoni
S
S
Department of Radiology, Institute of Sport Medicine and Science of the Italian Olympic Committee, Via dei Campi Sportivi, 46, 00197 Rome, Italy. stefano.dragoni@coni.it
Giombini
A
A
Di Cesare
A
A
Ripani
M
M
Magliani
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012767:Ships