Conservative treatment of anterior inferior and superior avulsion fractures of spina iliaca in adolescent amateur footballer

The anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) avulsion fracture is a rare injury of pelvis. It usually occurs during the sport activities especially in football while hitting the ball. It is commonly misdiagnosed so that a detailed history and physical examination have a great importance. We present two cases of AIIS and ASIS avulsion fracture. Both of the patients applied to outpatient clinics with hip pain and difficulty in walking. History revealed the complaints started after hitting the ball during the football match and hip movements were limited. The patients were fifteen and sixteen years and after physical examination and radiological evaluation, avulsion fracture of the AIIS and the ASIS were diagnosed. Patients were treated conservatively with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and limited weight bearing with crutches for a month. The patients were free of pain and had full range of hip movements after one month period. At the end of the second month patients returned to active sports. AIIS and ASIS avulsion fractures are more common in adolescent football players but clinicians sometimes fail to diagnose this rare injury. We emphasize the importance of the detailed history and clinical examination and direct radiography could be enough for the diagnosis