Pelvic Avulsion Fracture

Description

A pelvic avulsion fracture is a small piece of the pelvis pulled off at a growth center by a strong muscle, during a sudden, forceful effort — a sprint start, a kick, or a jump. It happens in adolescent athletes and, despite sounding dramatic, is usually a benign injury.

How it happens (the mechanism)

Several powerful muscles of the hip and thigh attach to growth centers on the pelvis. In a still-growing athlete, the tendon is often stronger than the growth center it pulls on — so an explosive effort tears bone loose rather than tearing the muscle. It is the young-athlete version of a muscle strain. Because the blood supply is good and the piece usually stays close, these heal reliably with a paced return; rushing back too soon is the main cause of trouble.

Symptoms

A sudden, sharp pain in the hip, groin, or buttock during sprinting or kicking, with local tenderness, and difficulty running or fully using the leg.

Doctor examination and imaging

The doctor localizes the tenderness to the involved growth center and tests the muscle; an X-ray shows the avulsed piece and how far it has moved.

Treatment

Treatment is almost always without surgery: rest, crutches to take weight off for a time, then a gradual, staged return — comfortable walking first, then stretching and strengthening, then a careful build back to running and sport. Surgery is reserved for the rare widely displaced avulsion in a high-level athlete.

Recovery and long-term outlook

Most young athletes heal fully and return to their sport. The main ask is patience through the staged comeback.

When to call the doctor

Call if pain is severe or worsening, your child will not bear weight or use the leg at all, the area becomes very swollen, red, or warm, your child develops a fever, or things are not improving with rest as expected.

Learn more

OrthoInfo (AAOS) — Growth Plate Fractures: orthoinfo.aaos.org

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For specific concerns about your child, consult a board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeon.