Thoracic compression fracture in a basketball player

Thoracolumbar pain is a frequent complaint of many athletes, but the cause is often difficult to diagnose. Compression fractures of the spine are rarely seen in athletics and are not always recognized as a potential cause of the symptoms. Reported here is a case of a T12 compression fracture in a ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of athletic training 1995-06, Vol.30 (2), p.163-164
Main Authors: McHugh-Pierzina, V L, Zillmer, D A, Giangarra, C E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Back
Spine
Sports injuries
Sports medicine
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Summary:Thoracolumbar pain is a frequent complaint of many athletes, but the cause is often difficult to diagnose. Compression fractures of the spine are rarely seen in athletics and are not always recognized as a potential cause of the symptoms. Reported here is a case of a T12 compression fracture in a male basketball player. Pain films revealed the percentage of loss of vertebral body height, thereby determining the stability of the fracture. If treated with a thoracolumbar spinal orthosis brace and activity restrictions, stable compression fractures heal without surgical intervention and athletes can return to activity within a number of months. Athletic trainers and physicians should maintain a level of suspicion for this injury when violent trunk flexion or lateral flexion is the mechanism of injury.
ISSN:1062-6050
1938-162X