Sacral stress fracture in an amateur rugby player: a case report

BACKGROUND Sacral stress fracture is an uncommon cause of back pain. The majority of previously reported cases have been in runners. The purpose of this case report was to describe a case of sacral stress fracture in an amateur rugby player. CASE PRESENTATION A healthy 18-year-old Japanese boy who was a rugby player presented with a 3-week history of lumbago. Sagittal and axial magnetic resonance imaging failed to reveal any reason for lumbago in his lumbar region. On his second presentation, 4 weeks later, his lumbago was so severe that he could not walk without a cane. A second magnetic resonance imaging revealed bone marrow edema with T1-weighted hypointensity and short inversion time inversion recovery hyperintensity at his left sacrum in coronal sections, consistent with stress fracture. Pain was relieved with rest and 1 year later he was able to return to rugby without lumbago or left buttock pain. CONCLUSIONS Sacral stress fracture can cause low back pain in athletes. Coronal magnetic resonance imaging appears to be an effective option for diagnosis.