Non-Traumatic First Rib Fracture in University Wrestler

Abstract

The first rib is well situated to be fully protected from external trauma as it is surrounded by soft tissue, muscles, and bony structures. It is rarely fractured by external trauma. However, two reports of non-traumatic first rib fractures have recently been reported: One in a basketball player and the other in a cheerleader. We present a third case of a non-traumatic first rib fracture, one that occurred in a collegiate wrestler secondary to cervical muscle contraction.