Stress fracture of the neck of the seventh and eighth ribs: a case report.

PURPOSE: This article describes a previously unreported site of stress fracture.

CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old female sculler presented with a 10-day history of posterolateral thoracic pain and marked tenderness maximally over the seventh and eighth costovertebral joints. A radioisotope bone scan showed foci of increased uptake posteriorly in the region of the seventh and eighth ribs. Computed tomographic scan confirmed and diagnosis of stress fracture of the neck of the seventh and eighth ribs.

DISCUSSION: Stress fractures of the ribs have previously been reported in rowers. All previous reports have involved fractures in the posterolateral aspect of the ribs. The mechanics of this fracture at the neck of the ribs is uncertain.

RELEVANCE: This case is the first reported of a stress fracture of the neck of the ribs. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a rower with thoracic spine pain.