CASE REPORTS   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2011 October;170(5):379-82

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Isolated zygomatic arch fracture in a mixed martial arts fighter

Patel A. ¹, Ota K. S. ²

¹ University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA 2 Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport that is gaining international popularity at an astonishing rate. Likewise, the sports medicine literature is beginning to see an emergence of reviews and case reports that examine the injury rates and patterns in this sport, respectively. In this report, we present a case of an amateur MMA competitor who sustained an isolated, unilateral zygomatic arch fracture during a sanctioned competition. The diagnosis and management of ZAFs are also reviewed. This case report and literature review highlights the importance for primary care physicians that care for sport competitors, especially in martial arts, to be aware of this injury and its management.