First-Rib Fracture in a Baseball Pitcher

Abstract

First-rib fractures may be caused due to high energy direct trauma, violent muscle contracture, or chronic fatigue. Isolated fractures are very rarely noted and may be a potential cause of nonspecific shoulder pain in overhead athletes. Although the exact mechanism underlying first-rib fractures caused by sudden muscular contracture is still not known, many repetitive activities have been associated with with these unique fractures. We present a case of an acute first-rib fracture in a rookie professional baseball pitcher. He returned to the same level of throwing in 5 months with rest and rehabilitation.