Mandibular Condylar Fracture in a Professional Soccer Goalkeeper: How to Achieve Early Return-to-Play—A Case Report

Sport-related mandibular fracture is a common injury in the field of maxillofacial surgery. However, treatment condylar fractures professional soccer goalkeepers rarely reported. A 32-year-old male goalkeeper was referred for malocclusion after collision with an opponent player during game. The patient’s mandible displaced between left lower lateral incisor and canine. Computed tomography showed right base medial displacement para-symphysis fracture. Internal fixation using retromandibular anterior trans-parotid approach via 25-mm skin incision immediately below earlobe intraoral vestibular were performed under general anesthesia 2 days injury. patient discharged without complications 3 surgery, protrusion diduction exercises limitation mouth opening. Soft diet opening 4 weeks To achieve early return-to-play, rehabilitation based on Fowell Earls’ return-to-play guidelines following facial started, moderate exercise 5 progressively full contact 8 He started normal team training individualized jaw-guard His body weight decreased by 2.2 Kg 1 week gradually recovered, became returned to game months This case report can be reference players, as available scientific literature limited regard athletes.