Accelerated recovery of a pediatric ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture with adjunctive photobiomodulation: a case report

C. Puertolas, J. Puertolas
Energy for Health [25], 2026

Background: Avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity are uncommon injuries in pediatric athletes that can significantly impair function. Conservative management is generally preferred when displacement is limited, but return to sport often requires several months.
Case presentation: We describe a 12-year-old male athlete who sustained an acute avulsion fracture of the right ischial tuberosity during an Australian Rules Football match. Initial management included protected weight-bearing and suspension from sports. Upon parental request, adjunctive photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was initiated using the MLS^® Robotic M8 laser system. The seven-week protocol involved simultaneous treatment of the avulsion site and proximal hamstring with tailored parameters delivered by a handheld applicator and a robotic scanning head. MRI at week six demonstrated reattachment of the fragment with bridging callus formation and resolution of surrounding edema. Clinically, the patient had discontinued crutches, started jogging, and by week seven had returned to full participation in both soccer and AFL without pain or functional limitations. No adverse effects or physiotherapy were required, and surgery was definitively avoided.
Conclusion: This is, to our knowledge, the first documented case of a pediatric ischial tuberosity avulsion fracture managed with adjunctive PBMT. The therapy was well tolerated and associated with accelerated clinical and radiological recovery, enabling full return to sport in less than two months. These findings suggest that PBMT may be a safe and valuable adjunct to conservative management of apophyseal avulsions in young athletes, warranting further clinical investigation. Further controlled studies are needed to validate these findings and explore their applicability in pediatric sports medicine