Stress fracture of the ulna in a break-dancer

Abstract

Break dancing is a popular activity in teenagers and is associated with severe trauma to bones and tissues. We report the first known case of a break dancer with an ulnar stress fracture. Such injuries occur in a variety of sports due to substantial stress on the ulna and repetitive excessive rotation of the forearm. In this study we describe a patient who experienced an ulnar stress fracture during break dancing training. The diagnosis was established by history and physical examination. Initial radiographic findings were negative. However, radiographs taken 3 months after initial presented revealed callus formation over the ulnar shaft. This suggested that readjustment is required in break dancing training protocols. It is important to increase awareness of this injury among physicians to expedite the diagnosis and to prevent the possibility of conversion to an overt fracture in the future. Key pointsStress fractures should not be ignored when the patient changes exercise loading.A thoroughly detailed clinical history, physical examination, and plain radiographs were used diagnostically in this clinical case.The best methods for the treatment of stress fractures include readjustment training protocols to prevent conversion to overt fractures.

Keywords: Sports injuries; magnetic resonance imaging; stress fractures; ulna fractures.

Figure 1.

"HAND GLIDE ”is a type of spin usually performed while balanced in a one-handed float position.

Figure 2.

Radiographs of the ulnar shaft at presentation (A) and at three months (B). Note the solid callus formation (arrow) over the middle-one third of the ulna, confirming stress fracture of the shaft.