Coronoid Stress Fracture in a 24-Year-old Boxer: A Case Report

Background: Stress fractures develop when a bone cannot remodel in response to repetitive force. They are less frequent in the upper extremities, and the coronoid process is an infrequent site for stress fractures. Coronoid stress fractures present with pain and tenderness of the elbow, which is exacerbated by full extension of the elbow.Case presentation: A 24-year-old male boxer was admitted to the hospital after complaining of pain in the anterior part of his elbow for the past seven months. Physical examination revealed exacerbation of pain during hyperextension positions and training, tenderness of the elbow at the anterior region, and decreased range of motion. Coronoid stress fractures should be considered in athletes, especially gymnasts with chronic elbow pain. Initial treatment is conservative management of the pain. If conventional treatment fails, fixation of the fragment with a surgical approach and subsequent rehabilitation must be performed.