Traumatic lumbar vertebral ring apophysis fracture with disk herniation in an adolescent

We present a case of a 15-year-old male with history of back pain and bilateral lower limb radiculopathy due to fall. The magnetic resonance imaging scan showed disc bulge at L2-L3 level causing compression on contained nerve roots. In this case, computed tomography scan was indispensable for diagnosis and classification of the vertebral apophyseal fracture and to guide appropriate further management. Apophyseal ring fracture is an uncommon cause of back pain with radiculopathy in adolescents and athletes. High degree of suspicion is necessary to differentiate these injuries from disc herniation so as to further guide appropriate conservative or surgical management. The common cause of back pain in this population is related to musculoskeletal injuries. Lumbar disc herniation contributes to negligible number of cases in this age group, as against that seen in the adult population. An important and rare etiology to be considered for these patients includes vertebral ring apophyseal fracture.