Apophyseal Avulsion of the Greater Trochanter in an Adolescent: Treatment with Abduction Bracing: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2016 Apr-Jun;6(2):e47. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.15.00230.

Abstract

Case: We describe a case of an adolescent athlete who sustained a greater trochanteric avulsion fracture. After conservative management with abduction bracing, the patient made a full recovery, with no signs of osteonecrosis at 12 months. We describe the presentation, the course of recovery, and the literature regarding treatment and outcomes.

Conclusion: Isolated fracture of the greater trochanteric apophysis is a rare but possibly devastating injury to the adolescent hip when complicated by osteonecrosis. We describe the successful conservative treatment of this injury in what we believe to be the second such report in the English-language literature.