Isolated sternum fracture with no direct trauma

Abstract

Isolated fractures of the sternum are a rare injury, except in the case of iatrogenic ones. Up to 8% of the patients admitted with blunt chest trauma have sternal fractures caused primarily by anterior blunt chest trauma. Sternal fractures are usually caused by motor vehicle accidents due to the chest striking the steering wheel. Almost all sternal fractures are due to direct trauma. Stress or indirect fractures of the sternum are a rare injury. Stress fractures can occur rarely in young athletes from repeated stress and sometimes in elderly patients with osteoporotic bones or other pathological conditions. A case of isolated sternum fracture with no direct trauma is reported herein. A 50-year-old man without any history of direct trauma sustained a fracture of the sternum when he fell 2 m on his hip. Although sternum fractures, except iatrogenic ones, are seen rarely, they should be considered in patients who are presented with acute chest pain in any kind of trauma.