Bilateral Condylar and Symphyseal (Guardsmans) Fractures of the Mandible From a Lone Sport Activity: A Case Report

Abstract

Involvement in contact sports like basketball is a common cause of maxillofacial injury. Such injuries range from minor laceration of the facial soft tissues, fractured tooth/teeth, to severe types like maxillofacial bone fractures, closed head injury and cervical spine injury. These injuries occur due to impact from the opponent’s elbow, head, leg or even from a fall. Treatment of such injuries is along conventional lines; however, the prevention of such injuries is rarely considered by the stakeholders. This article presents the case of a 23-year-old male who presented with chin laceration and inability to close the mouth following a fall sustained in a lone basketball sport activity. Examination revealed chin laceration, posterior occlusal gagging, and anterior open bite with tenderness in the symphyseal and bilateral condylar regions. Guardsman fractures of the mandible (Bilateral condylar and symphyseal fractures) were diagnosed on clinical and radiological grounds using 3D-CT. The patient had open reduction and internal fixation of the fractures and was monitored closely during jaw physiotherapy. Review after fonomias revealed satisfactory mouth opening (interfacial distance was 40mm), normal range of jaw movements and no temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The aim of this case report is to present a rare case of guardsman fractures of the mandible following lone basketball game activity, the benefits of surgical treatment and to highlight prevention of this uncommon maxillofacial injury.