Ultrasonographic Diagnosis and Computed Tomographic Confirmation of a Scapular Body Stress Fracture in an Elite Boxer: A Case Report

Yonghyun Yoon, King Hei Stanley Lam, Jihyo Hwang, Seonghwan Kim, Jangkeun Kye, Hyeeun Kim, Junhan Kang, Jaeyoung Lee, Daniel Chiung-Jui Su, Teinny Suryadi, A nwar Suhaimi and Kenneth Dean Reeves

Diagnostics 2025, 15(20), 2565

Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Scapular stress fractures are exceptionally rare in athletes and are notoriously difficult to diagnose due to their subtle presentation and poor sensitivity on initial radiographs. This case report describes the diagnostic challenge of a scapular body stress fracture in an elite boxer who initially presented with wrist pain.

Case Presentation: A 19-year-old right-hand-dominant female elite boxer presented with a three-month history of bilateral wrist pain. Initial examination and MRI were consistent with a triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury. Despite conservative management, her symptoms persisted, and she subsequently developed mechanical right shoulder pain and a sensation of instability. Physical examination revealed scapular dyskinesis, with a positive push-up test and weakness on punch protraction. Plain radiographs of the scapula were unremarkable. Point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK US) identified a cortical irregularity at the medial scapular border. A subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan obtained at three-month follow-up definitively confirmed a stress fracture at this site. Treatment focused on scapular stabilization via prolotherapy and activity modification, leading to symptomatic resolution and a successful return to sport.

Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of evaluating the entire kinetic chain in athletes presenting with focal complaints. It demonstrates the utility of MSK US as an effective initial screening tool for cortical stress fractures and highlights the necessity of CT for definitive confirmation. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for scapular stress injuries in overhead athletes with unexplained shoulder dysfunction.

Keywords: scapula; stress fracture; boxing; ultrasound; computed tomography; kinetic chain; athletic injuries; diagnostic imaging; upper extremity

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