[Iliac spine fractures in children].

Introduction: Iliac spine fractures in children are a form of avulsion fractures at mechanically weak spot caused by the presence of the growth plate.

Objective: Presentation of observations concerning treatment and results of iliac spine fractures in children.

Material and methods: 49 children (1 girl and 48 boys). Age, at the time of injury, average 15.1 years (10.6-18 years). We analyzed medical and radiological documentation of patients.

Results: 17 patients sustained anterior superior iliac spine fractures (ASIS), 32 fracture of the inferior iliac spine (AIIS). Most of injuries happened during sport activities--27 patients suffered fracture while playing football. 37 patients asked for medical advice immediately after the injury. Rest of patients, who came late--sustained AIIS fracture. We hospitalized 26 patients (53%), all of them suffered significant pain. The average length of stay in hospital was 8 days. All patients were treated conservatively. All of the fractures healed without complications.

Discussion: Larger study than ours group, concerning 84 patients with iliac spine fractures, was presented only by Italian authors who analyzed injures of professional athletes. In literature reviewed conservative treatment strongly predominates. Only a small group of patients were treated surgically (including athletes treated by Croatian surgeons).

Conclusions: The treatment of iliac spines in children should be conservative, consisting of a couple days of bed rest and then for 2-3 weeks walking on crutches with only toe touching until the pain resolves. We recommend return to full activities after 2 months.