The number of sport related injuries has raised as the increasing number of adolescents practicing competitive sports. Lumbar pain is a frequent complaint among young athletes. It is usually related to the contracture of paravertebral muscles and fractures (spondylolysis) caused by excessive practicing and incorrect techniques. However, other etiologies can cause lumbar pain, such as infectious processes, tumor and fractures. Avulsion fractures of the apophysial ring are uncommon lesions which rarely happen in the posterior superior area of the L5 vertebra. The literature shows that the most susceptible place to injuries is the posterior inferior area of the L4 vertebra. This paper presents two cases of young athletes with this unusual lesion. The objective of this work is to discuss the possible etiology and the best diagnostic and treatment procedures for this pathology.
Avulsion fractures of spine; spine lesions in athletes; apophysis ring lesions
