Isolated avulsion fracture of the medial head of the gastrocnemius in a pediatric patient: A case report
Background: Isolated avulsion fractures of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle are rare, with limited documented cases, especially in pediatric patients. The scarcity of evidence contributes to a significant gap in understanding the injury's mechanism and optimal management. While opera...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000426 |
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| Summary: | Background: Isolated avulsion fractures of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle are rare, with limited documented cases, especially in pediatric patients. The scarcity of evidence contributes to a significant gap in understanding the injury's mechanism and optimal management. While operative management is preferred in multiligamentary injuries, both operative and conservative approaches have been described in the case of isolated injuries. Case report: We present a case involving a 12-year-old girl with a slightly dislocated avulsion fracture of the medial head of the gastrocnemius sustained during recreational sports. The trauma mechanism involved knee flexion and a loaded knee with some rotational force. A conservative treatment strategy, including a temporary ban on sports activities and physiotherapy, led to a successful recovery, enabling the patient to return to recreational sports without pain at 10 weeks post-trauma. Conclusion: Isolated avulsion fractures of the medial head of the gastrocnemius, though rare, merit consideration, particularly in pediatric patients with a vulnerable bone component in the muscle–tendon–bone unit. Non-operative management, including activity limitation and physiotherapy, has demonstrated success in the pediatric population. |
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| ISSN: | 2773-157X |