Pelvic Avulsion Fractures in Adolescent Athletes: Analyzing the Effect of Delay in Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether delay in the diagnosis of pelvic avulsion fractures in young athletes leads to prolonged treatment and prolonged return toward sport activities, whether fractures at certain locations are associated with a greater risk of diagnostic delay, and what reasons may exist for delay in diagnosis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of young patients who presented with pelvic region avulsion fracture to a community-based sports medicine clinic over a 19-year period. SETTING: Private practice, primary care sports medicine clinic. PATIENTS: Patients younger than 20 years diagnosed with pelvic region avulsion fracture. INTERVENTIONS: None, this was a retrospective study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clearance for return toward sport activities. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-five cases were reviewed for reasons for delay in diagnosis; 208 cases met criteria for the duration of treatment and return to play activities portions of the study. The mean time from date of injury diagnosis was 19.59 days, and the mean duration from date of injury to clearance for return to play advancement was 67.20 days. Duration of treatment varied slightly depending on timing of diagnosis, whereas duration from date of injury to clearance for return to play advancement varied greatly depending on diagnostic delay. Those who did not sense a "pop" at the time of injury were more likely to experience diagnostic delay, as were athletes with ischial tuberosity fractures. The most common cause of diagnostic delay was patient/family decision on when to seek care; misdiagnosis as a muscle strain was also common. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay of adolescent pelvic avulsion fractures may unnecessarily prevent athletes from returning to play within an optimal time frame. Our observations highlight a need for educating athletes and their families on when to seek initial or follow-up medical care as well as educating medical providers regarding the diagnosis of pelvic avulsion fractures.

Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize and discuss the fundamentals of pediatric tibial tubercle avulsion fractures (TTAFs) including preferred imaging modalities, systems for fracture classification, frequently associated injuries, treatment options, outcomes, and common complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Although TTAFs amount to fewer than 1% of all physeal injuries in children, the incidence is increasing, likely because of greater participation in high-level athletics. SUMMARY: TTAFs tend to occur in adolescents nearing skeletal maturity who engage in sports with repetitive jumping. The most popular classification system was proposed by Ogden, which defines five fracture types based on the fracture pattern and extent of fragment displacement. Treatment can be nonsurgical or surgical, and indications depend on fracture type. Most fractures are surgical candidates and can be repaired with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or arthroscopy. Arthroscopic approaches can reveal associated soft tissue injuries, such as meniscal tears, and confirm articular reduction. The most common postoperative complication is irritation because of hardware. With proper treatment, both nonsurgical and surgical outcomes are excellent. TTAFs have high rates of union and patients typically return to sports.

Missed Sleeve Fracture of the Superior Pole of Patella.

Patellar sleeve fracture is a form of injury in which small osseous fragments avulsed with periosteum and cartilage. 15-year-old male patient, playing in school football team, apllied to our clinic with a history of previously missed patellar superior pole sleeve avulsion fracture. Care must be taken in order not to miss the patellar superior pole sleeve fractures, which are very rare in children. Extra care must be taken in patients, whose X-ray imaging is clean but there is a problem in the extensor mechanism of the knee. INTRODUCTION Since the patella has high mobility and large cartilage surfaces, it's fracture is very rare in children (9). Growing patella is more prone to osteochondral or avulsion fractures (8). Patellar sleeve fracture is a form of injury in which small osseous fragments fractured with periosteum and cartilage (5). Avulsion or sleeve fractures of patella can be seen in inferior and superior patellar poles. Fractures in superior pole is very rare and only a few cases have been described in the literature (2).

Combined avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle and patellar tendon rupture in adolescents: a case report.

Simultaneous occurrence of tibial tubercle fracture and patellar tendon avulsion is an extremely rare condition. However, they have become more frequent due to increased participation in sports at a younger age. Diagnosis is not always straightforward, and treatment consists of open reduction and internal fixation. Only a few case reports of such injuries were reported in the literature with limited information according to diagnoses, treatment, and outcome in adolescents.

Pediatric avulsion fractures of pelvis: current concepts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Provide the reader with an evidence-based update on the importance of accurate diagnosis of commonly missed avulsion fractures of pelvis apophyses, the necessary imaging studies, the feared complications and the recent treatment recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: Accurate diagnosis of avulsion fractures of pelvis apophyses is high yield as misdiagnosis leads to improper treatment. They should be differentiated from muscle strain and apophysitis. These fractures are usually associated with good outcomes; however, missed diagnosis can lead to further displacement, nonunion, functional limitation, femoroacetabular impingement and infection. A/P and frog lateral pelvis radiograph show the fracture and its displacement in the majority of cases. Conservative treatment, consisting of a short period of rest and immobilization followed by passive stretching then progressive resisted activity before return to sports, is recommended in minimally displaced avulsions. Surgical treatment is favored in displaced fractures (>15 mm), as it is associated with quicker return to sports. SUMMARY: Treating physicians should keep a high index of suspicion in pediatric and adolescent patients presenting with typical clinical exam findings. Pelvic Anteroposterior and frog leg radiographs are often diagnostic. Missed diagnosis can aggravate the prognosis of a usually benign condition. Adequate medical or surgical treatment should then be administered.

Percutaneous fixation of avulsion fracture at the plantar lateral base of the first metatarsal using ZipTight Fixation System: A case report.

Isolated avulsion fracture of the peroneus longus tendon insertion at the base of the first metatarsal without injury of the tarsometatarsal joint is very rare. Similar to most avulsion fractures, this type of injury is caused by strong tension exerted by the peroneus longus tendon. The mechanism leading to this lesion and treatment options are not clearly defined. Several surgical techniques have been advocated for this fracture, including excision of an avulsion fragment and open reduction for internal fixation through the medial aspect of the foot or minimal plantar incision. We have described a method of percutaneous fixing of the avulsion fracture at the plantar lateral base of the first metatarsal using the ZipTight Fixation System (Zimmer Biomet Warsaw, Indiana, USA), which offers the advantage of allowing a rigid fixation and minimal invasive surgical technique for a small fragment.

Surgical treatment of two adolescent athletes with dislocated avulsion fracture of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).

INTRODUCTION: Avulsion fractures of the anterior superior iliac spine are rare. Therefore, evidence-based treatment guidelines do not exist. The therapeutic options are either conservative treatment or surgical intervention. The decision depends on grade of dislocation, age of the patient, and his sportive demands and competitive requirements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present the cases of two young athletes suffering from traumatic avulsion fractures of the anterior superior iliac spine. In both cases, the musculotendinous unit (sartorius muscle and tensor of the fascia lata) remained attached to the loose dislocated fragment. Both patients were treated by means of open reduction with a new surgical technique using suture anchors. RESULTS: Both patients were pain-free 4 weeks after surgery and had full range of motion. They were able to return to their preoperative sportive activity levels 10 weeks after surgery. No complications were reported at final follow-up 18 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Operative treatment of avulsion fracture of the ASIS using suture anchors shows excellent clinical outcome and a short convalescence period. The patients achieve their preinjury sportive levels within 3 months.

[Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures]. / Avulsionsverletzungen der proximalen Tibia.

BACKGROUND: The tear-off of the apophysis of the proximal tibia is a rare injury (< 1 % of all apophysal lesions). It mainly affects male adolescents (14,6 years). Main causes are concentric and eccentric stress during sport activity. Morbus Osgood-Schlater seems to be a predisposing factor. AIM: Up-to-date survey of pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature research (level III and IV studies) as well as own results. RESULTS: The affected patients are mostly male (97 %), type III fractures are most frequently seen (48 %). Accompanying injuries are not to be missed (10 %). The treatment usually consists of surgery by means of an open reposition and internal refixation, recently also minimal invasi. The results are mainly very good to good, approximately 95 % reach their old level of activity again. Almost one third of the patients develop a mostly slight complication. CONCLUSION: The acute tear-off of the apophysis of the proximal tibia is an infrequent disease. In dislocated injuries the standard procedure is the open reposition and the internal fixation. Lesions within the knee are particularly to be expected in intraarticular fractures und must not be missed. A very good to good result is to be expected with correct treatment, momentous complications are all together rare.

[Apophyseal Avulsions of the Hip Region in Adolescents]. / Avulsionsverletzungen der Hüftregion des Jugendlichen.

BACKGROUND: In daily practice apophyseal avulsions of sportive adolescents are frequently being diagnosed with a time delay and treated heterogeneously. GOAL: Using the most actual literature and the own experience the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are put into perspective with regards of the needs of the adolescent athlete. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The apophyseal lesions of the hip area in adolescence are separated in those at the pelvis and those at the proximal femur. They are reviewed according to its frequency and relevance using the most updated literature. The treatment methods reported focus on the degree of dislocation and level of sports activity. RESULTS: The most frequent apophyseal avulsion of the pelvis is the avulsion of the tuber ischiadicum, followed by the inferior anterior iliac spine the superior anterior iliac spine and the apophysis of the ilium. The most affected structure at the proximal femur is the lesser trochanter, lesions of the greater trochanter are rare. The cause of injury is a specific acute contracture of the muscle inserting at the affected apophysis during different sporting activities. The treatment of pelvic apophyseal injuries is surgical only in cases with considerable fragment dislocation and in high level athletes. At the femoral side the patients are treated almost always conservatively. DISCUSSION: Despite of modern and efficient osteosynthetic techniques the treatment of avulsion lesions of the hip region is mainly conservative, even in athletes. By applying consequent diagnostic and therapeutic principles the development of pseudarthroses and heteropic ossifications can be minimised.

[Aspects of expert opinions of avulsion fractures]. / Gutachtliche Aspekte von Apophysenschäden.

The apophyses as secondary ossification centers are connected with the bone by cartilage. During the growth phase of puberty, the apophyseal plate is a mechanical weak spot. Especially, apophyses in the hip and pelvic area are exposed to considerable tensile and sheer stresses due to the strong muscles which are inserted here. The frequency of injuries to the apophyses correlates with the extent of sporting activities. For athletes participating in "Youth Train for the Olympics", this is the most common injury of all. Most often, the apophysis of the rectus femoris muscle is affected at the anterior inferior iliac spine. In adults, after complete ossification of the apophyseal plate such injuries are rare. However, in a very unusual mechanism of injury with maximum forced hip flexion and simultaneous maximum knee extension, avulsions of the ischial tuberosity are observed in adults. During the causality test-especially in the legal area of statutory accident insurance-the question is always whether the alleged course of events has to be regarded as a legally significant (partial) cause or if a longer period of time has been involved, so that the resulting morbid apophysis detachment was predominately due to fate, in which the alleged event must be interpreted as legally immaterial.

[Rotator cuff avulsion fractures. Current concepts in the surgical treatment]. / Knöcherne Ausrisse der Rotatorenmanschette. Aktuelle Behandlungskonzepte zur operativen Versorgung.

Rotator cuff avulsion fractures represent rare lesions in younger individuals and are caused by different trauma mechanisms. The present article outlines current concepts regarding diagnosis, indications, and surgical approaches to the treatment of greater and lesser tuberosity fractures, as discussed in the international literature. Modified arthroscopic double-row rotator cuff repair techniques allow for the anatomical reduction and retention of fragments and the treatment of concomitant intra-articular lesions at the same time. Moreover, the article provides practical hints on different surgical repair techniques, their respective limitations and results from the literature.

[Bony avulsion of the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon from the base of the second metacarpal: A rare injury]. / Abrissfraktur der Extensor-carpi-radialis-longus-Sehne von der Basis des Metakarpale II: Eine seltene Verletzung.

We report on a 19-year-old male patient with a rare injury: a basis fracture of the second metacarpal with avulsion of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) tendon. The patient was treated with open reduction and internal plate fixation of the fragment. The functional results after 10 months of follow-up were pronation/supination 90/0/90° (90/0/90°), extension/flexion 70/0/70° (70/0/70°) radial/ulnar duction 20/0/40° (25/0/40°), bilateral grip strength was 115 kPa. The patient suffered no pain at all. The Mayo wrist score reached 100 points. Radiologically, the fracture was consolidated.Consistent diagnostics and surgical therapy lead to functional and radiological recovery following fracture of the second metacarpal base with avulsion of the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon.

Bilateral anterior superior iliac spine apophysis avulsion fractures in a skeletally mature patient: case report and literature review.

We present a case of bilateral anterior superior iliac spine avulsion fractures in an adult patient who was involved in a road traffic collision. Her injuries were managed conservatively and she has had an uncomplicated recovery with a good outcome. This is, to our knowledge, the only reported case of bilateral simultaneous anterior superior iliac spine apophyseal avulsion fractures in an adult.

Pelvic Avulsion Injuries in the Adolescent Athlete.

Pelvic avulsion fractures are common in youth athletes; many of these injuries can be treated conservatively. This article reviews the etiology, presentation, and management of the more common pelvic avulsion fractures, including anterior superior iliac spine, anterior inferior iliac spine, ischial tuberosity, and iliac crest avulsions. Adolescent pelvic avulsion fractures rely on the amount of fracture displacement to guide treatment. Conservative management includes rest and avoiding use of the muscle(s) that attach to the avulsed fragment. Operative treatment is reserved for widely displaced fractures or symptomatic nonunions. With appropriate treatment, young athletes frequently return to their same level of sport.

Distal biceps femoris avulsions: Associated injuries and neurological sequelae.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe associated injuries in cases of distal biceps femoris avulsions (DBFA) as well as the incidence of neurological injury and radiographic abnormalities of the common peroneal nerve (CPN). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients presenting to our office or trauma center with DBFA injuries. Demographic data was obtained as well as mechanism of injury. Assessment of concomitant injuries and presence of neurologic injury was completed via chart review and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) review. The CPN was evaluated for signs of displacement or neuritis. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were identified (mean age-at-injury 28.6 years, 87.5% male) with DBFA. Three patients (18.8%) sustained their injuries secondary to high energy trauma while 13 (81.3%) had injuries secondary to lower energy trauma. Nine patients (56.3%) initially presented with CPN palsy. All patients presenting with CPN palsy of any kind were found to have a displaced CPN on MRI and no patient with a normal nerve course had a CPN palsy. CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates a strong association between DBFA and CPN palsy as well as multi-ligamentous knee injury (MLKI). These injuries have a higher rate of CPN palsy than that typically reported for MLKI. Furthermore, these findings suggest that CPN displacement on MRI may be a clinically significant indicator of nerve injury. LOE: IV.

Combining pullout suture and retrograde screw fixation for anterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fractures: A case report.

This report describes a novel arthroscopic technique for the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial eminence avulsion fractures. A 16-year-old boy who was diagnosed with a left ACL tibial eminence avulsion fracture was treated by arthroscopic fixation. Two bone tunnels were created from the anterior tibial cortex into the fracture bed, and a strong suture passed through the ACL just above its insertion was pulled out through them for reduction and fixation. A retrograde cannulated screw fixation was added for stronger fixation. Weight-bearing and range of motion exercises were started immediately after surgery. Radiographically, bone union was obtained 6 months postoperatively. During second-look arthroscopy (24 months postoperatively), there was no loss of reduction and no subsequent meniscal or cartilage injuries. At that point, the Lysholm score was 95, and the International Knee Documentation Committee score was 96.

Ipsilateral open anterior hip dislocation and avulsion fracture of the greater trochanter: An unusual case report.

Approximately 3% of all joint dislocations involve the hip joint, and only 8-10% of these will be anterior. Traumatic anterior open dislocation of the hip is rare in children and prone to be associated with injuries, extensive soft tissue damage, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We present a case of a 13-year-old boy who had an open anterior dislocation of the hip with ipsilateral avulsion of the greater trochanter after a tractor wheel crush in an agricultural accident. Additional lesions included a diaphyseal closed fracture of the contralateral femur. We report this case because of the rarity and seriousness of this injury due to its progressive complications and difficulties related to its management.

Avulsion fracture of the medial collateral ligament association with Segond fracture.

The Segond fracture is a tibial avulsion injury of the insertion of the middle third of the lateral capsular ligament that is typically associated with anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tears. The classically assigned mechanism of injury is a combination of internal rotation and varus stress. We report two cases of Segond fractures that presented with a variant pattern including osseous avulsion injuries of the medial collateral ligament at the femoral origin, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and pivot shift-type osseous contusion pattern, suggesting an alternative mechanism of injury that includes dominant valgus stress and external rotation components. Awareness of this pattern may aid radiologists, surgeons, and sport medicine physicians in the accurate diagnosis of this injury complex and initiation of appropriate treatment in a timely fashion.

Complete Avulsion of Quadriceps Tendon in a Child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Case Report.

CASE: We report a rare case of complete avulsion of the quadriceps tendon in an 8-year-old child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Our patient presented with acute onset of pain and effusion with a history of feeling a "pop" in the knee after a fall while playing kickball. Although knee radiographs showed a cortical irregularity involving the superior patellar pole, it was assumed that the symptoms were a result of a JIA flare rather than an acute injury. Complete quadriceps disruption was later diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical repair was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Complete rupture of the quadriceps tendon is an unusual, disabling injury in children that necessitates prompt diagnosis and early surgical repair. High index of suspicion and thorough physical evaluation are essential for the diagnosis of such injuries, especially in children with complex medical conditions.