Operative treatment of neglected painful costal cartilage nonunion in a karate player

Costal cartilage fractures are one of the common traumas in contact sports, and persistent pain from its nonunion severely limits sports activities. We report the surgical treatment of a karate athlete with this type of trauma. A 35-year-old man sustained a seventh costal cartilage fracture from a kick to the left chest during a karate match a year ago. The patient had a residual deformity of the chest rib area and reported persistent and chronic pain. Operatively, the displaced costal cartilage fracture ends were freshened, reduced, and fixed with nonabsorbable threads. Postoperatively, the patient reengaged in sports activities without disabling painful symptoms. Surgical treatment is an option for painful displaced costal cartilage nonunion in contact sports athletes.