Iliac apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of the growth plate along the side of the hip (iliac crest). The growth plate is an area of weakness, and injury to it occurs because of repeated stress or forceful exercise. Because the iliac crest growth plate typically closes in the mid to late teens, this problem is uncommon after these ages. Signs and Symptoms

A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip) Usually starts slowly and gets worse

Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

Increased Risk

Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football) Growth spurts Tight and weak hip muscles

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like 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 health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rest

Decreasing or stopping painful activity may be necessary to allow the injury to heal.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition. Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences. Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain proper body weight. Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

When to Call the 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. Signs of infection develop like fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) or higher. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Iliac Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-580 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Iliac apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of the growth plate along the side of the hip (iliac crest). The growth plate is an area of weakness, and injury to it occurs because of repeated stress or forceful exercise. Because the iliac crest growth plate typically closes in the mid to late teens, this problem is uncommon after these ages. Signs and Symptoms

A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip) Usually starts slowly and gets worse

Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

Increased Risk

Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football) Growth spurts Tight and weak hip muscles

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like 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 health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rest

Decreasing or stopping painful activity may be necessary to allow the injury to heal.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition. Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences. Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain proper body weight. Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

When to Call the 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. Signs of infection develop like fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) or higher. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Iliac Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-580 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Iliac apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of the growth plate along the side of the hip (iliac crest). The growth plate is an area of weakness, and injury to it occurs because of repeated stress or forceful exercise. Because the iliac crest growth plate typically closes in the mid to late teens, this problem is uncommon after these ages. Signs and Symptoms

A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip) Usually starts slowly and gets worse

Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

Increased Risk

Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football) Growth spurts Tight and weak hip muscles

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers like 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 health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rest

Decreasing or stopping painful activity may be necessary to allow the injury to heal.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition. Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences. Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain proper body weight. Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

When to Call the 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. Signs of infection develop like fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) or higher. New, unexplained symptoms develop.

  Sports Medicine: Iliac Apophysitis (PDF) HH-I-580 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Iliac apophysitis (uh-paa-fuh-sai-tuhs) is pain and swelling (inflammation) of the growth plate along the side of the hip (iliac crest). The growth plate is an area of weakness, and injury to it occurs because of repeated stress or forceful exercise. Because the iliac crest growth plate typically closes in the mid to late teens, this problem is uncommon after these ages.

Signs and Symptoms

A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip) Usually starts slowly and gets worse

Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

Increased Risk

Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football) Growth spurts Tight and weak hip muscles

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers like 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 health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rest
  • Decreasing or stopping painful activity may be necessary to allow the injury to heal.
  • Exercises
  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition. Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences. Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain proper body weight. Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

When to Call the Doctor

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

A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip) Usually starts slowly and gets worse

Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

  • A tender, and sometimes swollen area along the iliac crest (bony bump on the side of the hip)

  • Usually starts slowly and gets worse

  • Pain with activity, especially running, jumping, kicking, and twisting

Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football) Growth spurts Tight and weak hip muscles

  • Repetitive activity, such as running or jumping

  • Sports that require body twisting (golf, batting, pitching)

  • Sports that require sprinting and kicking (soccer, football)

  • Growth spurts

  • Tight and weak hip muscles

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

  • Other minor pain relievers like 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 health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Decreasing or stopping painful activity may be necessary to allow the injury to heal.

  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition. Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences. Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Maintain proper body weight. Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

  • Do correct warm-up and cool down before and after practice or competition.

  • Use shoe inserts for leg-length differences.

  • Avoid rapid or extreme changes in training or activity.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Maintain proper body weight.

  • Use proper technique and avoid cross-body arm motion with running.

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

  • Signs of infection develop like fever of 100.4° Fahrenheit (F) or 38° Celsius (C) or higher.

  • New, unexplained symptoms develop.

 

Sports Medicine: Iliac Apophysitis (PDF)

HH-I-580 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online