Sternal stress fracture in a middle-aged woman

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Feb 7:2017:bcr2016218203. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-218203.

Abstract

A middle-aged premenopausal woman presented with 3 months of right chest wall pain after beginning a new weight training programme. Examination was significant only for mild-to-moderate tenderness to palpation over the right pectoral muscle and sternoclavicular joint. In-office musculoskeletal ultrasound scan, chest X-ray and shoulder X-rays were unremarkable. Subsequent MRI of the chest wall showed oedema in the sternum at the level of the sternoclavicular joint consistent with a sternal stress fracture. She was started on calcium and vitamin D supplementation and told to rest for 6 weeks. After this she began to gradually increase her activity and was pain free after 4 months.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / administration & dosage
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Female
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnosis*
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Sternoclavicular Joint / injuries*
  • Sternum*
  • Thoracic Injuries
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium