Stress fracture of the clavicle in a patient with no obvious risk factors

A 28-year-old woman presented with right shoulder pain and, after a delay, a diagnosis of clavicular stress fracture was made. The patient gave no history of repetitive abnormal loading of the upper limbs which could have assisted the diagnosis. The authors wish to raise awareness of this rare diagnosis such that it can be considered in the differential for shoulder pain of unclear origin.
(Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2004; 86:1-4)