Avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity

Treatment for ischial tuberosity avulsion fractures in adolescent athletes

PURPOSE

Avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity are rare sports injuries typically occurring in young athletes. Their misdiagnosis may lead to chronic pain or disability. The aim of this study is to report a retrospective series of patients sustaining a fracture of the ischial tuberosity and to propose decision guidelines.

METHODS

The mechanism of accident, the diagnostic management, the mode of treatment and outcome after avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity in adolescents were analysed.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (1 female and 12 males) with a median age of 15 years (range 13-16 years) with an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity were included. Twelve of these patients suffered from sports injuries leading to the avulsion fracture. Five of our patients with a displacement of >15 mm were treated operatively. The outcome was excellent in cases of acute presentation and osteosynthesis. Eight patients were treated conservatively: four of them showed a displacement of <15 mm and had an excellent outcome; and the other four patients had a displacement of >15 mm. Two of those patients had excellent outcome with regular bone healing, the remaining two patients developed pseudarthrosis associated with a good outcome.

CONCLUSION

The present paper shows that in patients with displacement of <15 mm, conservative treatment yields excellent results and early operative intervention should be considered in physically active patients with displacement of >15 mm.

A surgical approach for an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity: a case report

We report a case of an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity treated with a new surgical approach early after injury. Although surgical treatment of this fracture is usually avoided because of the difficulty of the procedure and the risk of sciatic nerve complication, we believe our subgluteal approach is simple and safe. We therefore recommend it for treating avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity, especially when the fragment is displaced by >2 cm and the sciatic nerve is not involved. If there is clinical evidence of sciatic nerve disturbance, it is likewise an indication for surgery. However, the incision needs to be deepened to approach the nerve, along the lines of the incisions advocated by both Miller and Spinner.

Rectus abdominis rhabdomyolysis after sit ups: unexpected detection by bone scan

Uptake of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate by the rectus abdominis muscle was unexpectedly found in a 29 year old man who had started to perform 30 to 40 sit ups a day for five days before the bone scan. After a week of rest, serum creatine kinase activity was still abnormal but muscle uptake of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate had ceased. This specific muscle injury after short term sit ups as well as the resolution of the phenomenon within a week are of interest.

Avulsion fracture of the ischium following complex total hip arthroplasty: an unusual cause of hip pain

Total hip arthroplasty in the high riding dislocated hip is a technically difficult undertaking, with major reconstruction required on both the acetabular and femoral sides. With reconstruction at a near-anatomic hip center, reduction of the arthroplasty is difficult because of the long-standing limb shortening. The major block to reduction is tension of the soft tissues, particularly the hamstrings. We report a case of ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture following such a complex reconstruction despite femoral shortening subtrochanteric osteotomy. This illustrates the importance of the hamstring group in maintaining the dislocation and emphasizes the need to prevent overtension of the soft tissues in such complex reconstructive procedures.

Retro runner with ischial tuberosity enthesopathy

In reviewing the literature, no studies were found reporting the use of retro running on flat and hilly terrain, which elicited enthesopathy (stress reaction) at the ischial tuberosity. Therefore, this case study of an atypical enthesopathy condition warrants careful scrutiny in order to generate future research. This case study describes the clinical management of a female runner with bilateral patellofemoral pain who self-initiated a program of backward running and stationary bicycling after reading an article about retro running in a runners' magazine. She subsequently developed ischial tuberosity enthesopathy verified by scintigraphy (bone scan). Her symptoms gradually resolved with physical therapy intervention. Eventually, she was able to forward jog 2 miles on flat surfaces without complaint of pain but did not resume retro running. This case not only suggests the need for further research in retro running kinetics and kinematics but highlights the proactive role health professionals must assume in injury prevention.