Elite Diving Athlete With Traumatic Growth Plate Injury of the Proximal Humerus: A Case Report

Abstract

Growth plate injury of the proximal humerus is rare. We herein report a traumatic growth plate injury of the proximal humerus in an elite diving athlete. A 16-year-old female diving athlete injured her left shoulder during 7.5 m platform hands-first diving practice. At the first visit, she presented with upper left shoulder tenderness and left shoulder range-of-motion limitation. There was no fracture or dislocation on X-ray and computed tomography (CT), but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a high-intensity zone in the left lateral epiphysis of the proximal humerus. We treated her conservatively by rest with sling and rehabilitation. She partially restarted diving practice five weeks post-injury and returned to competition eight weeks post-injury. Even if there is no sign of fracture or dislocation, we should consider MRI for patients who are before the age of growth plate closure.