Complex Strain Injury Involving an Intercostal Hematoma in a Professional Baseball Player

Abdominal Muscle Strains in Professional Baseball

“…1,11,14,17,18 The intercostal muscles are active in trunk stabilization and show side-specific activation during trunk rotation in EMG analysis 23,27 ; although technically considered thoracic muscles, they are included in the grouping of side-strain injuries because of their continuity with the internal oblique muscles and similar injury presentation, treatment, and recovery. 7,21 They include the external, internal, and innermost intercostal muscles but here are referred to as a group as intercostal muscles for simplicity. 17 Nomenclature of this injury is still confusing, as the terms side strain, oblique strain, and rib cage strain can all refer to the same injury.…”

“…Abdominal oblique muscle strains, sometimes referred to as side strains, are well known in the training room but have received little attention in the medical literature. These injuries have been reported in baseball, cricket, tennis, golf, and javelin throwing, 5,8,12,20,21,25 among other sports, but their overall incidence is unknown. The injuries are characterized by a sudden, sharp onset of side pain near or on the rib cage with localized tenderness and often occur after a throwing, swinging, or twisting movement.…”

“…The injuries are characterized by a sudden, sharp onset of side pain near or on the rib cage with localized tenderness and often occur after a throwing, swinging, or twisting movement. 8,21,25 Abdominal muscle strains have recently received increased attention in professional baseball, and the aim of this study is to characterize these injuries and report on their incidence in baseball over the past 20 years.…”

MRI findings are associated with time to return to play in first class cricket fast bowlers with side strain in Australia and England

“…Side strain is an injury to the lateral trunk that is reported in cricket fast bowlers [1][2][3][4] and baseball players. [5][6][7] It is an acute (usually) internal oblique muscle injury categorised as either a complete or partial tear of the muscle from the undersurface of one of the inferior ribs, most commonly from the 11th rib, then the 10th, 9th and 12th ribs. 8 Injury to external oblique 8,9 and transversus abdominis 9 has also been reported, as has injury to the rib or costal cartilage, such as bone stress or avulsion fracture, and periosteal stripping.…”