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Avulsion Fracture Treatment in Edison, Shrewsbury, & Freehold, NJ

What are Avulsion Fractures?

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.

Avulsion fractures are caused by trauma. They usually happen when a bone is moving one way, and a tendon or ligament is suddenly pulled the opposite way.

If you suspect your child has sustained an avulsion fracture in Shrewsbury, Edison, and Freehold, NJ, it’s crucial to seek the expertise of a pediatric orthopedist specialized in avulsion fracture treatment. At Atlantic Pediatric Orthopedics, our proficient team of orthopedic surgeons are trained in treating and diagnosing these injuries.

What Do Avulsion  Fractures Feel Like?

If you have the following symptoms, you may have an avulsion fracture:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Bleeding
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Difficulty moving your injured limb

Usually, these symptoms will be worst near the bone that is broken.

Am I at Risk for an Avulsion Fracture?

If you are involved in a lot of physical activity, you may be at risk for an avulsion fracture.

Other risk factors include:

CHILDREN

Growth spurts can sometimes contribute to avulsion fractures. The tendons or ligaments around the parts of the children’s bones that are growing may pull so hard that the bones fracture. Children who play sports are most at risk of experiencing an avulsion fracture.

ATHLETICS OR DANCE

Many sports involve a high impact, lots of twisting, and quick changes in direction. Dancers are especially at risk for fractures that involve the feet, as they put a lot of pressure on their feet and make sudden movement shifts.

OVERUSE, LACK OF REST or WARM UP

Chronic overuse can cause inflammation and trauma to your bones and make you more likely to get avulsion fractures. If you fail to rest between activities or properly warm up for exercise, you may also be more at risk for an avulsion fracture.

FALL OR TRAUMATIC INJURY

A common cause of fractures are due to falling from heights, car accidents, or direct hits to the bone.

POOR SHOES OR EQUIPMENT

If you are running or playing a sport in poor shoes, you may be a risk for an avulsion fracture. Always wear the proper padding or safety equipment. Try not to run or walk on uneven surfaces.

LACK OF NUTRIENTS OR OSTEOPOROSIS

Loss of bone density, eating disorders, and lack of vitamin D and calcium can make bones more likely to develop avulsion fractures.

Common Sites of Avulsion Fractures

Avulsion fractures can happen anywhere in your body that soft tissue attaches to the bone. This is commonly in areas where you have growth plates to help children as they develop into mature adults.

Avulsion fractures are more common in children than in adults. This is because the ligaments and tendons tend to be injured first in adults. On the other hand, the bone mail fail before the ligament or tendon is injured in children.

Common sites for avulsion fractures include:

  • Hip
  • Elbow
  • Ankle

They can also occur in the pelvis, when a broken part of a bone from the hips, buttocks, or upper thigh is dislodged. Another site that may be impacted is the finger bones if there has been a sudden movement. The elbow bones may also be affected, especially for athletes playing sports like tennis.

What Treatment is Available for an Avulsion Fracture?

To diagnose a fracture, our orthopedic surgeons will likely do a physical exam to determine the location and likelihood of an avulsion fracture. An X-ray may also help to rule out other types of injuries.

Avulsion fractures should be addressed right away. The good news is, most avulsion fractures will heal without surgery. Rest, ice, and proper monitoring of activities is essential toward healing.

To reduce the bone’s weight-bearing load until healing occurs, you might need to wear a walking boot,  brace, or use crutches if the fracture is in your ankle. This is to ease your bone of the weight for a period of time to help it recover.

It can take anywhere from six weeks to six months to fully heal and return to full activity. Exactly how long it takes depends on what area of the body you injured and how serious the fracture was. Our orthopedic surgeons will work with you to make sure you are on the road to proper recovery.

Surgery may be considered if: 

  • If the bone fragment and main bone are too far apart to fuse naturally, surgery may be necessary to reunite them. This is usually rare.
  • In children, avulsion fractures that involve the growth plates also might require surgery.

Schedule an Appointment for Avulsion Fracture Treatment in Shrewsbury, Edison, and Freehold, NJ

The pediatric orthopedists at Atlantic Pediatric Orthopedics are highly trained in treating avulsion fractures. If you suspect your child has a fracture, please call (732) 544-9000 today to schedule an appointment in Shrewsbury, Edison, and Freehold, NJ