Hip avulsion is a rare and severe fracture, usually suffered by athletes. While it can happen to anyone, this fracture occurs due to a sudden burst of movement or forceful contraction. Athletes, due to their nature of movement, are at a higher risk. The treatment for hip avulsion fractures, like every other fracture, varies based on the severity of the injury.
“Hip avulsion fracture treatment can be non-surgical or surgical depending on the severity of the fracture. Non-surgical treatment usually involves RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), activity modification, and walking aids until sufficient function and healing are achieved. Surgical treatment for hip avulsion involves reattachment of the bone with the aid of screws and structures,” says hip specialist and top hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora.
Hip avulsion is a rare and complicated condition, unlike regular trauma fractures. Understanding the nature of the fracture, its symptoms, and its types is crucial for a complete comprehension of hip avulsion fracture and its treatments. With insights from a hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora, let us briefly introduce the topic to help you understand it better. Read on:
What is Hip Avulsion?
Rapid and robust muscle contractions are necessary for athletes when they aim to run faster, make sudden movement changes, or jump higher. Growing athletes condition their muscles to generate these rapid and intense muscle contractions.
As they do so, the muscles grow more potent than the muscle attachments to the bone. When muscular muscle contractions occur, sometimes it can rip off the attachment along with small pieces of bone at the attached site. This breaking away of small fragments of bone due to excessive or sudden muscle contraction is called an avulsion fracture.
Due to its fundamental role in every human solid movement, the hip suffers a higher risk of avulsion fractures. An avulsion fracture happening at the hip is called a hip avulsion fracture.
Types of Hip Avulsion Fractures:
Based on the location of the fracture, hip avulsion fractures are classified into different categories:
- Anterior superior iliac: The avulsion fracture happens at the top of the hip, on the bone called ilium.
- Anterior inferior iliac: The fracture occurs at the back of the pelvis, on the wing-shaped part of the ilium.
- Ischial tuberosity: The fracture occurs on the V-shaped bone at the bottom of the pelvis.
- Proximal femur avulsion fractures: These rare fractures can happen on the upper end of the thigh bone.
How to detect Hip Avulsion Fractures?
A sudden popping sound at the time of injury is often the primary symptom of a hip avulsion fracture. Other common symptoms include swelling, redness, bruising at the site of injury, limited range of motion, and pain when moving legs. The severity of the symptoms depends on how much bone is torn away due to excessive muscle contractions, says hip specialist and hip replacement surgeon in Mumbai Dr. Niraj Vora.
Hip Avulsion Fracture Treatment in Mumbai:
Non-surgical treatment plans that involve RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), activity moderation, walking support, and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are adequate to treat mild or moderate hip avulsion fractures where the bone has not moved far from the location. It is only when the fractures happen to be severe, i.e., when the small piece of bone is pulled off from the area, and the tendon has detached from the bone, surgical treatments become mandatory.
“The surgical treatment for hip avulsion typically involves stainless screws and other specialized equipment to reattach the bone and other muscle connective tissues. With advanced and precise procedures today, recovery is faster when the post-operative guidelines and rehab protocols are followed promptly,” says hip avulsion treatment specialist Dr. Niraj Vora. For more information on hip avulsion treatment in Mumbai, you can contact Dr. Niraj Vora