Athletic Injuries of the Thoracic Cage
Sowmya L Varada1, Charles A Popkin1, Elizabeth M Hecht1
1From the Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology (S.L.V., E.M.H., M.B., T.T.W.), and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine (C.A.P., C.S.A., W.N.L.), New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 W 168th St, MC-28, New York, NY 10032.
Summary
Athletes frequently sustain thoracic injuries from sports. Understanding anatomy, biomechanics, and imaging is key for accurate diagnosis and effective management of these common athletic injuries.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Athletic activities involve high-impact trauma and repetitive movements, leading to thoracic injuries.
- Untreated thoracic injuries can cause chronic pain, disability, and premature athletic career termination.
- Understanding thoracic anatomy and sports biomechanics is crucial for injury prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common athletic injuries of the thoracic cage.
- To emphasize the mechanism, imaging features, and management of these injuries.
- To highlight specific MRI protocols for thoracic imaging challenges.
Main Methods:
- Review of musculoskeletal, osseous, and vascular thoracic conditions in athletes.
- Discussion of relevant functional anatomy and sports biomechanics.
- Inclusion of specific imaging protocols for thoracic structures.
Main Results:
- Detailed discussion of muscular injuries (e.g., pectoralis major, serratus anterior).
- Coverage of osseous injuries (e.g., stress fractures, sternoclavicular dislocation, costochondral fractures).
- Description of thoracic conditions (e.g., snapping scapula, thoracic outlet syndrome).
Conclusions:
- Athletes are prone to diverse musculoskeletal thoracic trauma.
- Accurate imaging diagnosis and severity assessment are vital for treatment planning.
- Integrating knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and injury patterns optimizes athlete care.
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