Scaphoid Stress Fracture in High-Level Gymnast: A Case Report

Abstract

We present the case of an 18-year-old high-level gymnast who sustained a stress fracture of the scaphoid associated with a distal radial epiphysiolysis. Clinical evaluation demonstrated decreased range of motion of the affected wrist and insidious pain on the snuffbox and tenderness on the distal radial physis. He was submitted to surgical treatment with scaphoid percutaneous fixation and radial styloid process in situ fixation. Clinical features improved, and he got back to competition 6 months after surgery without symptoms and with complete range of motion.

Stress fracture of the scaphoid in an elite junior tennis player: a case report and review of the literature

“…The carpal scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone [ 6 ]. Carpal scaphoid fractures usually occur in young adults after a fall on an outstretched arm that results in acute dorsal flexion of the wrist [ 9 ]. However, stress fractures of the scaphoid are relatively rare, and although such cases have been reported in relation to other sports [ 1 – 10 ], we believe this is the first report of carpal scaphoid fracture in a tennis player (Table 1 ).…”

Bilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a platform diver presenting with unilateral symptoms

“…(2)(3)(4)(5) Most reported cases are of gymnasts who repeatedly exert large amounts of force on their wrists. (4)(5)(6)(7) Patients usually complain of longstanding wrist pain that may intensify over time before they eventually seek medical opinion. The absence of trauma may help to differentiate between an acute fracture and a stress fracture.…”

“…Thus, patients typically present late (delays of six weeks to three months) with radiological features supporting nonunion. (2,5,6) The absence of positive findings in plain radiography, however, does not exclude a stress fracture. Matzkin and Singer reported a case in which signs of fracture were absent on radiography at three months but became obvious at six months.…”

“…(1) Scaphoid stress fracture is rare, occurring mainly in gymnasts. (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) There are only two reported cases in the current literature: one case of unilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a platform diver and another of bilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a gymnast. (2,4) We herein present a case of bilateral stress fracture of the scaphoid in a platform diver who presented with only one symptomatic side.…”

A Scaphoid Stress Fracture in a Female Collegiate-Level Shot-Putter and Review of the Literature

“…Although rare, scaphoid stress fractures have been described in young, high-level athletes who exhibit repetitive loading with the wrist in extension, most commonly in gymnasts [ 2 – 7 ]. With increasing participation in high-level athletics at an earlier age, there has been a perceived increase in the incidence of pediatric and young adult stress fractures occurring in the upper extremity [ 5 , 8 ].…”