Acetabular fractures following rugby tackles: a case series

A Big HIIT: A Fracture Dislocation of the Hip in a Young Man Participating in Extreme Conditioning Exercise: A Case Report

CASE

Hip dislocations with associated acetabular fracture are rare events usually associated with high-energy trauma. We describe an unusual case of low-energy acetabular fracture dislocation sustained by a 30-year-old athletic male athlete during a high-intensity training program.

CONCLUSION

Correct execution of training programs is important. Healthcare professionals as well as participants and instructors of extreme conditioning programs should be aware of this serious complication. Avoidance of this injury may be possible with increased interval recovery and improved technique.

Acetabular fractures in skeletally immature rugby players

Since the introduction of professionalism to the sport of rugby union, an increasing rate of injury has been noted in the playing population. In addition, overall participation numbers have increased globally, with more amateurs and young people involved in the sport. Acetabular fractures are generally seen after violent trauma and can be associated with poor long-term outcomes. We have previously described two acetabular fractures in young patients (16 and 24 years of age) sustained during rugby matches. We present a case series of four closed, isolated acetabular fractures in three skeletally immature male patients (13-16 years of age), two of which required open reduction and internal fixation. Three of these fractures occurred in conjunction with hip dislocations. All injuries were sustained while engaged in playing rugby union, two during seasonal match play and one during a training drill.