Soccer injuries to the lower extremities vary in nature (Hershman, et al., 1990; Hoff and Martin, 1986; Wong and Hong, 2005). However, the occurrence of displaced femoral shaft fractures in the absence of contact-induced (Goga and Gongal, 2003), stress (Boden and Speer, 1997; Ekstrand and Gillquist, 1983; Hoy, et al., 1992; Tamaki and Miyazaki, 1983; Yasuda, et al., 1992), fatigue, or pathological fracture is rare. We report a case of displaced femoral shaft fracture in a 19-y-old male who sustained this injury when he kicked the ground instead of the ball while playing soccer. We discuss the cause and mechanism of this rare injury, with reference to the literature.

A 19-y-old male whose only sports activity was amateur soccer at a recreational level was playing his monthly match for a regional soccer union. He ran at full speed in spiked soccer shoes, trying to catch up with the ball, which was rolling ahead of him. When he caught up with the ball, he attempted to kick it with the side of his left foot, supporting his weight on the right foot (Figure 1-A). He kicked the ground instead of the ball (Figure 1-B), lost his balance and fell to the ground (Figure 1-C) with severe pain in the left thigh. The patient was unable to stand, and was admitted to our hospital.

When the patient was admitted, his left thigh showed distinct swelling and deformity. A plain radiograph revealed a displaced fracture of the left femur (Figure 2). Neither periosteal reaction nor osteoblastic nor osteolytic change was apparent. On hematological examination, a slight inflammatory reaction was observed, with a serum CPK level of 422 IU·L^-1. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, calcitonin, and PTH were normal. Bone mineral density was normal at 1035 g·cm^-2 in the right femoral neck and 1031 g·cm^-2 in the lumbar spine. Fracture in a healthy, conditioned bone was the diagnosis. Closed intramedullary nailing was performed. Callus formation was observed 3 weeks postoperatively, suggesting a normal pattern of healing. Bone fusion was complete 6 months postoperatively and he could return to recreational soccer. Five years after surgery, the patient is uneventful

Soccer has gained popularity worldwide. It is characterized by intense exercise and contact during play. There have been many reports of soccer-related injuries in the literature, especially injuries to the lower extremities (Goga and Gongal, 2003; Hershman, et al., 1990; Hoff and Martin, 1986; Wong and Hong, 2005). Although the incidence of fractures during soccer games is relatively high (Goga and Gongal, 2003; Hershman, et al., 1990), displaced fractures of the femoral shaft are very rare: with 9 cases in the English literature (Goga and Gongal, 2003) and 2 in the Japanese literature (Kim, et al., 1997; Tamaki and Miyazaki, 1983). Both of the Japanese cases were diagnosed as stress fractures with remarkable radiological findings and significant patient histories. Furtheremore, femoral displaced fractures without any history of contact-induced are extremely rare. Indeed, stress fractures could well have been the initial differential diagnosis, because some authors have reported displaced fracture of the femur due to stress (Hoy, et al., 1992; Luchini, et al., 1983; Tamaki and Miyazaki, 1983). However, the present patient’s low level of regular exercise, together with the absence of prodromal symptoms, hematological abnormalities and radiological abnormalities at the fracture site, led us to conclude that the kicking motion against the ground (Figure 1-A, B, C) itself caused an acute fracture in healthy bone.

From a mechanical viewpoint, the cause of our patient’s femoral shaft fracture resembles that of femoral shaft fracture in skiers (Sterett and Krissoff, 1994). According to Strett and Krissoff (1994), one of the causes of femoral shaft fractures during skiing is the transmission of an indirect flexion and rotation force to the femur. The force is produced by sudden entrapment of the skis when the skier hits wet or compacted snow at high speed. In our present patient, the spiked shoes presumably played a similar role as skis trapped in snow. Unexpectedly, the patient’s foot, with its spiked shoe, was trapped on the hard ground. Both inertial force, which moved the upper body forward, and the force of contraction of the patient’s muscles - in particular the iliopsoas and quadriceps muscles and the adductor muscles of the hip joint - would have produced an enormous flexion force on the femur.

Our patient’s treatment outcome was excellent. The fracture had sufficient potential for bone regeneration and healed normally. As clinicians, we need to be aware that the force of kicking against the ground with full power is strong enough to produce a femoral shaft fracture.

We reported a rare case of displaced femoral shaft fracture in a 19- y-old man, who sustained the injury when he kicked the ground instead of the ball during a soccer game.