STRESS-FRACTURE OF INDEX METACARPAL IN AN ADOLESCENT TENNIS PLAYER

Stress fractures are common injuries in sports medicine clinics. The f ew reported cases of stress fractures of the metacarpal bones have bee n associated with overuse, athletic or occupational techniques, and eq uipment problems. We describe a stress fracture of the index metacarpa l in an adolescent tennis player. An increase in training intensity, c ombined with a recent change in stroke biomechanics and racket grip, w ere thought to be predisposing factors for this fracture. A similar me chanism and location of injury has been previously described, suggesti ng a common mechanism. Relative rest, a change in racket grip, and app ropriate physical therapy facilitated a quick return to asymptomatic t ennis. A brief review of metacarpal stress fractures is presented.