From the Research
Treatment Options for Iliac Crest Contusion (Hip Pointer)
The treatment of choice for iliac crest contusion, also known as hip pointer, typically involves conservative management. The following are some of the treatment options:
- Conservative management with compression, ice, antiinflammatories, and rehabilitation exercises are successful in treating hip pointers 1
- Injection therapy with the use of local anesthetic can be helpful in minimizing pain and increasing function to allow more rapid return to play 1
- In some cases, surgical treatment may be necessary, such as transosseous reattachment to the iliac crest, which has been shown to be a successful procedure in allowing a safe and predictable return to sport 2
Specific Treatment Approaches
Some studies have reported the following treatment approaches:
- Conservative treatment with total resolution of symptoms in one to eight months 3
- Surgical treatment with transosseous suture reattachment, which allowed full performance and excellent, long-lasting treatment results 2
- Conservative treatment with return to previous sport activities after four months from injury 4
Importance of Accurate Diagnosis
It is essential to consider a nuanced approach when diagnosing hip pain in active patients, as a "hip pointer" may not always be the correct diagnosis 5. Additionally, the rarity of avulsion fractures of the iliac crest in adolescents can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment, highlighting the need for high clinical suspicion and second-level imaging in presence of negative x-ray findings 4