• Landesberg WH

• Athletic Performance
• Contraceptives, Oral
• Estradiol
• Running
• Venous Thromboembolism
• Young Adult

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe a female athlete with back and right scapular pain due to pulmonary embolism.

Clinical Features: A 20-year-old female collegiate cross-country runner presented to a chiropractic clinic with pain in the right scapular area that was severe, stabbing, and worsened with respiration. She had a cough and experienced difficulty lying on her right side. She had an elevated d-dimer. Chest radiograph demonstrated pleural effusion, prompting a thoracic computed tomographic angiogram that showed a large right lower lobe embolus and pulmonary infarct.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient was hospitalized, prescribed anticoagulant therapy, and monitored for 6 months. She was able to return to competitive running 8 months later.

Conclusion: This case raises awareness of the occurrence of birth control medication for the purpose of enhanced performance in female athletes and the associated risks of using this medication for enhanced performance.

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