Ilium Apophysitis
Ilium apopysitis is an overuse injury which occurs in children and adolescents at the front of the pelvis. An apophysis is a area of growth of a bone which also acts as a point for muscles to attach to.
Symptoms of Ilium Apophysitis
- Dull pain at the front of the hip.
- Tenderness when feeling this area.
- Pain gets worse with activity.
- There may be some mild swelling.
Causes
A growth plate is an area of bone from which growth occurs. This is the last area of bone to fully harden from cartilage and so is still relatively soft in children and adolescents.
Thos involved in sporting activities in particular, or those with very tight hip muscles may suffer from this injury. The repetitive pulling of the muscles on the growth plate can result in irritation and inflammation of the area. This most frequently occurs at either the AIIS (anterior inferior iliac spine) or the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) at the front of the pelvis.
Treatment
- Rest from aggravating activities until pain and tenderness ease.
- Apply ice or cold therapy products to ease pain and inflammation.
- A doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medication.
- Once daily activities are pain-free, stretches for the hip muscles can be performed.
- Sports massage therapy may be able to help relax really tight muscles such as the hip flexors.
- Once pain has gone, a gradual return to sport can be initiated.
- Ensure a full warm-up is performed and stop if any pain is felt.
- The condition will ease on it's own once growth is finished and the bone is fully matured.
