Thoracic region pain in athletes

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2004 Feb;3(1):53-7. doi: 10.1249/00149619-200402000-00010.

Abstract

Pain in the thoracic region in athletes is more commonly from the thorax than from the thoracic spine. Although the thoracic spine is well protected from motion by the ribs, the chest wall and surrounding muscles are vulnerable to both overuse and acute injury in athletes. These injuries to muscle and bone include stress fractures, muscle strains, and avulsions. They are diagnosed primarily by history and physical examination. Bone scan is the most useful test if there is a question of a stress fracture. Most of these injuries respond to conservative treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Athletic Injuries / complications
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis*
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Chest Pain / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / etiology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • Thorax*