Common Hip Injuries in Kids

Scraped knees and sprained ankles are pretty common in youngsters, but hip injuries? Surprisingly, they can and do occur in kids and teens, especially those active in sports.

With their bodies still forming and bodies constantly changing, children are particularly vulnerable to orthopedic injuries.

The hip is a ball-in-socket joint, and one of the body’s largest weight-bearing joints. It endures tremendous wear and tear from kids who are always on the move… running, jumping, playing.

Two common pediatric hip injuries are:

An  SCFE is more simply described as a femur, or large bone, fracture. A fracture is when a bone breaks into two pieces, and bones with open growth plates, such as in children, are very susceptible. This can occur via a high-impact sport, activity or other physical trauma. 

Symptoms include: 

If your child is suffering from severe hip pain, see an orthopedist immediately. Surgery may sometimes be necessary to correct the fracture.

Hip Avulsion

When a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament is torn away from the main part of the hip bone, it is known as a hip avulsion. This injury is most frequently associated with high impact running activities, like track/field, soccer, basketball, and football. An x-ray is often the best way to diagnose it. Symptoms may be similar to those of the SCFE, but treatment for this is usually just restricted activity for a period of time.

With any hip injury, especially those in children, it is important to seek early evaluation and take swift action if necessary. Allowing a hip injury to persist can predispose a child to painful arthritis later on.

Parents, and especially coaches of young athletes, should always be mindful of the possibility of a pediatric hip injury.

Adapted from STOP Sport Injuries

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