Simultaneous bilateral avulsion fractures of the anterior superior iliac spines in an adolescent sprinter

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 2009; no. jun24 1; p. bcr0520091827
• Main Authors: Boyce, Stephen H, Quigley, Michael A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 2009; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Reminder of important clinical lesson
• Subjects: Adolescent; Bed Rest; Diagnosis, Differential; Edema; Emergency medical care; Europe (West); Fractures; Fractures, Bone - diagnosis; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Humans; Ilium - injuries; Magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Pain; Patients; Pelvis; Physical therapy; Radiography; Reminder of Important Clinical Lesson; Running - injuries; White; X-rays
• ISSN: 1757-790X; 1757-790X
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr.05.2009.1827

A 16-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of bilateral hip pain while performing in a 100 m sprint race. Examination revealed diffuse swelling and tenderness at both anterior superior iliac spines (ASIS). Pelvic x ray revealed bilateral displaced avulsion fractures of the ASIS at the origin of the sartorius muscle. He was managed conservatively with analgesia and bed rest with both hips held partially flexed at approximately 60°. Further x rays showed good healing and no further displacement of the avulsed fragments. Following physiotherapy he had a full range of hip movements at 6 weeks post-injury. He was able to return to full activity by 18 weeks post-injury.