Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of bone is separated from the main bone due to the pull of the muscle and tendon attached to it. This typically occurs in growing bone, which is weaker than mature bone. In the hip, this often occurs at the iliac crest, the bony part of the front and side of the pelvis. Many belly (abdominal) and hip muscles attach to the crest of the hip. Signs and Symptoms

Pop heard at the time of injury Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

Pain over the iliac crest Weakness when bending the hip  Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

Increased Risk

Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football Males between ages of 11 to 18 Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your doctor or health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage and raise the foot and ankle at or above heart level to reduce swelling. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your doctor, health care provider, or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

Crutches may be used to help with limping and pain for 2 to 4 weeks.

Exercises

Exercises to stretch and improve strength and flexibility of the hip are helpful. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your doctor or health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretch before practice or competition Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse or do not improve in 4 weeks, even with treatment New, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Avulsion Fracture of the Iliac Crest (PDF) HH-I-601 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital  

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of bone is separated from the main bone due to the pull of the muscle and tendon attached to it. This typically occurs in growing bone, which is weaker than mature bone. In the hip, this often occurs at the iliac crest, the bony part of the front and side of the pelvis. Many belly (abdominal) and hip muscles attach to the crest of the hip. Signs and Symptoms

Pop heard at the time of injury Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

Pain over the iliac crest Weakness when bending the hip  Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

Increased Risk

Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football Males between ages of 11 to 18 Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your doctor or health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage and raise the foot and ankle at or above heart level to reduce swelling. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your doctor, health care provider, or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

Crutches may be used to help with limping and pain for 2 to 4 weeks.

Exercises

Exercises to stretch and improve strength and flexibility of the hip are helpful. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your doctor or health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretch before practice or competition Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse or do not improve in 4 weeks, even with treatment New, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Avulsion Fracture of the Iliac Crest (PDF) HH-I-601 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital  

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of bone is separated from the main bone due to the pull of the muscle and tendon attached to it. This typically occurs in growing bone, which is weaker than mature bone. In the hip, this often occurs at the iliac crest, the bony part of the front and side of the pelvis. Many belly (abdominal) and hip muscles attach to the crest of the hip. Signs and Symptoms

Pop heard at the time of injury Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

Pain over the iliac crest Weakness when bending the hip  Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

Increased Risk

Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football Males between ages of 11 to 18 Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your doctor or health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage and raise the foot and ankle at or above heart level to reduce swelling. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your doctor, health care provider, or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

Crutches may be used to help with limping and pain for 2 to 4 weeks.

Exercises

Exercises to stretch and improve strength and flexibility of the hip are helpful. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your doctor or health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretch before practice or competition Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call Doctor Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Symptoms get worse or do not improve in 4 weeks, even with treatment New, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Avulsion Fracture of the Iliac Crest (PDF) HH-I-601 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital  

Avulsion fractures occur when a small piece of bone is separated from the main bone due to the pull of the muscle and tendon attached to it. This typically occurs in growing bone, which is weaker than mature bone. In the hip, this often occurs at the iliac crest, the bony part of the front and side of the pelvis. Many belly (abdominal) and hip muscles attach to the crest of the hip.

Signs and Symptoms

Pop heard at the time of injury Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

Pain over the iliac crest Weakness when bending the hip  Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

Increased Risk

  • Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football
  • Males between ages of 11 to 18
  • Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)
  • Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury
  • Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play
  • Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your doctor or health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage and raise the foot and ankle at or above heart level to reduce swelling.
  • Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your doctor, health care provider, or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • Crutches may be used to help with limping and pain for 2 to 4 weeks.
  • Exercises
  • Exercises to stretch and improve strength and flexibility of the hip are helpful. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your doctor or health care provider.

How to Prevent

  • Do correct warm-up and stretch before practice or competition
  • Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

When to Call Doctor

Call your doctor, health care provider, or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

Pop heard at the time of injury Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

Pain over the iliac crest Weakness when bending the hip  Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

  • Pop heard at the time of injury

  • Pain with twisting or doing a sit-up

  • Pain with walking and often walking with a limp

  • Pain over the iliac crest

  • Weakness when bending the hip

  • Swollen or tender area along the front or side of the hip

Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football Males between ages of 11 to 18 Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football Males between ages of 11 to 18 Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

  • Sports that require repeated fast motion such as kicking (soccer, football

  • Males between ages of 11 to 18

  • Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

  • Previous thigh, knee, or pelvis injury

  • Poor technique or posture or poor warm-up before practice or play

  • Sports with a lot of sprinting (soccer, track)

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your doctor or health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage and raise the foot and ankle at or above heart level to reduce swelling.

  • Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your doctor, health care provider, or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Crutches may be used to help with limping and pain for 2 to 4 weeks.

  • Exercises to stretch and improve strength and flexibility of the hip are helpful. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your doctor or health care provider.

  • Symptoms get worse or do not improve in 4 weeks, even with treatment

  • New, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Avulsion Fracture of the Iliac Crest (PDF)

HH-I-601 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online