An Isolated Manubrium Fracture in a Young Football Player: A Case Report

This case report highlights a rare occurrence of an isolated manubrium fracture in a 17-year-old high school football quarterback. Such fractures are uncommon in athletes despite the high-impact nature of contact sports. The injury was sustained during a tackle and confirmed via imaging as an oblique fracture to the right lateral manubrium with minimal posterior displacement. No reduction or surgical intervention was required, and the patient was managed conservatively with rest, analgesia, and physical therapy, including eccentric training to aid recovery and strength rebuilding. The report discusses mechanisms and the risk of manubrium fractures in contact sports, emphasizing the role of direct trauma and repetitive stresses as etiologies. Imaging modalities such as X-ray and CT scans are essential for accurate diagnosis and ruling out associated injuries to vital thoracic structures. Management ranges from non-operative approaches for non-displaced fractures to surgical interventions for severe cases with rehabilitation focusing on pain management, functional recovery, and return-to-play readiness. Recognizing and managing rare sternal injuries in athletes is important, with an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal recovery and safe reintegration into sports. Tailored rehabilitation with incorporation of eccentric training is effective in enhancing recovery while mitigating the risk of re-injury.