Avulsion Fracture

Avulsion fractures occur when a small fragment of bone attached to a ligament or tendon gets pulled away from the main body of bone. In most cases your physiotherapist will be working in conjunction with the expertise of an orthopaedic consultant or sports physician.

Common areas where avulsion fractures can occur include head of the 5th metatarsal, the navicular bone on the inside of the foot, the hip flexors especially in the young athlete and the ischial tuberosity or ‘sitting bone’ where your hamstring tendon originates.

Treatment

Initial treatment following an avulsion fracture usually consists of rest and icing of the area injured. In most cases your physiotherapist will be working in conjunction with the expertise of an orthopaedic consultant or sports physician.

Your physiotherapist will introduce you to a graded exercises program to help restore range of motion, increase strength and promote bone healing. In the majority of cases conservative treatment through physiotherapy has been shown to offer best results.

However in cases where the avulsed bone has been pulled too far away from the main body of bone healing can be more problematic and surgical intervention may be needed.