Treatment of an avulsion fracture typically includes resting and icing the affected area, followed by controlled exercises that help restore range of motion, improve muscle strength and promote bone healing. Most avulsion fractures heal very well without surgical intervention.
An avulsion fracture occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone.
The hip, elbow and ankle are the most common locations for avulsion fractures in the young athlete. You may need to spend a few weeks on crutches if you have an avulsion fracture around your hip. An avulsion fracture to your foot or ankle may require a cast or walking boot.
In rare cases, if the bone fragment and main bone are too far apart to fuse naturally, surgery may be necessary to reunite them. In children, avulsion fractures that involve the growth plates also might require surgery.
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June 03, 2022
- Pfenninger JL, et al. Fracture care. In: Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 22, 2017.
- Marx JA, et al., eds. General principles of orthopedic injuries. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 22, 2017.
- Miller MD, et al. Pelvic avulsion fractures. In: Essential Orthopaedics. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 22, 2017.
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FAQs
Treatment of an avulsion fracture typically includes resting and icing the affected area, followed by controlled exercises that help restore range of motion, improve muscle strength and promote bone healing. Most avulsion fractures heal very well without surgical intervention.
What is the fastest way to heal an avulsion fracture? ›
Management and Treatment
- Immobilization in a cast or splint.
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Restriction of activity.
- Icing the area.
- Physical therapy with exercises.
This type of fracture is stable, meaning that you can weight bear (e.g. stand and walk) and move the joint without causing damage. Your Doctor may advise you to wear an othopaedic boot for a short period of time in order to protect your injured foot and to help with healing.
What happens if an avulsion fracture is left untreated? ›
Delaying treating your avulsion fracture may lead to the bone taking longer to heal, or may lead to it healing in a suboptimal way that may either cause discomfort for you in the future, or may require surgical correction that could have been avoided.
How do you treat an avulsion wound immediately? ›
Control bleeding with direct pressure and elevation.
Use an absorbent clean dressing or any clean cloth that is available to hold pressure on an open avulsion or degloving injury. The dressing will help it clot and stop the bleeding. Don't be afraid to put direct pressure on raw muscle or fat tissue.
What is the protocol for avulsion fracture? ›
Rest and elevate your foot throughout the day. Apply ice to the injured area for 10-15 minutes, every 3-4 hours. Allow skin temperature to return to normal before reapplication of ice. Protect your skin by wrapping an ice pack or frozen peas in a damp towel to ensure the ice is never in direct contact with your skin.
How painful is an avulsion fracture? ›
You may feel a pop and sudden pain when the fracture occurs. You will probably have some pain and swelling in the area of the fracture. Sometimes the area will be bruised. Symptoms usually improve after the injury heals.
How long do you have to wear a walking boot for an avulsion fracture? ›
Remember to wear your boot when standing or walking for the first four weeks. You can take the boot off to sleep at night and when resting. Using ice can help with your pain and swelling. Wrap a damp tea towel around a bag of frozen peas and place on your foot and ankle for up to 15 minutes, each hour, as needed.
Can I drive with an avulsion fracture? ›
You can return to driving when: you are no longer using your boot. and you can walk comfortably. and you can perform an emergency stop without pain.
Does avulsion fracture show up on xray? ›
On plain radiographs, an avulsed bone fragment can be detected. However, sometimes the bony fragment is small, which makes visualization difficult. In these circ*mstances, CT and MRI can be helpful for detecting bony fragments.
Avulsion fractures are most common around the hip or pelvis but can also occur in the ankle, foot, finger, elbow, or knee. Avulsion fractures occur most frequently in female athletes between the of ages 13 and 14 and in male athletes between the ages of 15 and 17.
How long does avulsion pain last? ›
Pain and swelling can persist for 3 months following the injury. We advise continuing the use of simple analgesia such paracetamol to allow you to walk normally. Swelling is usually worse towards the end of the day. If this does occur, continue to use elevation as described previously.
Do you need physical therapy after an avulsion fracture? ›
Physiotherapy is extremely important for early weight bearing and return-to-play following avulsion injuries. The initial goal following an avulsion fracture is to minimise pain & swelling. This requires the application of ice, compression & sufficient rest to allow bone healing.
Do you need an MRI for avulsion fracture? ›
They may also perform a sports ultrasound, which allows them to see the muscles, tendons, and bone as your child moves their limb. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help diagnose or confirm an avulsion fracture.
What is the difference between a fracture and an avulsion fracture? ›
A fracture is a break or crack in a bone that often results from an injury. With an avulsion fracture, an injury to the bone occurs near where the bone attaches to a tendon or ligament. When the fracture happens, the tendon or ligament pulls away, and a small piece of bone pulls away with it.
How long do you have to wear a boot after an avulsion fracture? ›
Use the boot whenever you are up standing on your ankle for the first four weeks. You may also need crutches in the early stages if your ankle is very sore. You can take the boot off when you are resting and at night, to sleep. It is important to start moving the ankle straight away.
