Abstract
This paper documents an unusual case of a stress fracture of the ninth rib in an elite
oarsman. A 25-year-old male presented with a 3-day history of right-sided chest pain
aggravated by deep inspiration and movements simulating rowing. The athlete was treated
initially as having a soft tissue injury; however, a technetium-99 bone scan confirmed
the diagnosis. Routine radiographs of the ribs were negative. The pain and symptoms
were confined to the anatomical area of the fracture along the anterolateral portion
of the rib where the serratus anterior muscle originates. An analysis of the stroke
mechanics involved in rowing implicated the serratus anterior muscle as being a major
contributor to the repetitive stress that resulted in the injury. The primary etiological
factor was errors in the training program. The athlete responded to simple conservative
measures and was able to return to competitive rowing in 1 month's time.
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