Upper-extremity stress fractures: distribution and causative activities in 70 patients

Stress fractures of the upper extremity and thorax are often unrecognized injuries in athletes and nonathletes. The authors reviewed the causative activities and anatomic distribution of rib and upper-extremity stress fractures. Radiographic and clinical information was reviewed for each case to determine anatomic site and causative activity of each stress fracture. Stress fracture, although an uncommon diagnosis outside the lower extremity and lumbar spine, should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with pain in the ribs and upper extremity.