Thoracic region pain in athletes.

Pain in the thoracic region in athletes is more commonly from the thorax than from the thoracic spine. Although the thoracic spine is well protected from motion by the ribs, the chest wall and surrounding muscles are vulnerable to both overuse and acute injury in athletes. These injuries to muscle and bone include stress fractures, muscle strains, and avulsions. They are diagnosed primarily by history and physical examination. Bone scan is the most useful test if there is a question of a stress fracture. Most of these injuries respond to conservative treatment.