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General Medicine

Hip Pointer, Sports Medicine

Brent S.E. Rich, MD, ATC Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Iliac crest contusion 1

  • Avulsion fracture of the iliac crest

  • Iliac crest apophysitis

  • Synonym(s): bruised hip or contusion

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Most common in contact/collision sports such as foot...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Usually caused by direct blow to the iliac crest 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Signs and symptoms:

    • Acute, severe pain at the site of contusion 3

    • Athlete usually not able to continue activity

    • Posture ofte...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Analgesia:

    • Minimize bleeding and swelling with compression and ice.

    • Consideration of narcotics may be appropriate for first 48 to 72 hr if there is severe, debilitating pain.

    • No...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

In cases of intra-abdominal trauma (consider surgical evaluation) or displaced iliac crest fracture 

COMPLICATIONS

Recurrent or recalcitrant injury or hematoma if a...

REFERENCES

1
Hall M, Anderson J. Hip pointers. Clin Sports Med.  2013;32(2):325–330.
2
Anderson K, Strickland SM, Warren R. Hip and groin injuries in athletes. Am J Sports Med.  2001;29(4):521–...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Return to play can take place when there is minimal to no tenderness at the contusion site, near-normal or normal abdominal and hip muscle strength, full range of motion to hip flexion...

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