CASE REPORTS   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2011 April;170(2):141-6

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Navicular stress fracture and adaptation in training. A case report concerning high competitive gymnastics

Chen H. ¹, Schöffl V. ², Liu S. ³, Huang Y. ³, Zhang P. ³

¹ Sports Health and Rehabilitation Research Center, National Institute for Sport Science, Beijing, China 2 Department of Sportorthopaedics, Shoulder and Ellbowsurgery, Klinikum Bamberg and Department of Trauma Surgery FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany 3 Gymnastic Center, State Sport General Administration, Beijing, China

The aim of this study was to trace evidences that emphasize on the rehabilitation and adaptation, find more strategies that can offer optimal care for high level competitive athletes. This is a case report about one experienced high competitive male gymnastic athlete with right navicular stress fracture after training at the pommel horse. After diagnosis and rehabilitation for nearly five months, the athlete was satisfied with the foot’s function, and could undergo the daily regular training. It took the athlete about five months, until he could accomplish the daily training and returned successfully to competitive activity at the end of April 2006. After the rehabilitation the athlete won several gold medals in world class competitions successively. The athlete was followed up in the national team until today. This case pointed out that conservative rehabilitation and the natural adaptation ability of the athletes play important roles in competitive sports, although injuries in athletes are sustained, it is important to balance the negative effects of sports injuries with the many social, psychological and health benefits that a serious commitment to sport goes along.