Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation (Mar 2016)

Spontaneous Iliopsoas Tendon Tear

  • Manolo Rubio MD,
  • Mary Rodriguez MD,
  • Soumya Patnaik MD,
  • Peter Wang MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2151458515627309
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Hip pain is one of the most common reasons for the elderly to present to the emergency department, and the differential diagnosis spectrum is vast. Iliopsoas injury is a relatively uncommon condition that may present with hip or groin pain. It is usually seen in athletes due to trauma, particularly flexion injuries. However, spontaneous iliopsoas tendon tear is extremely rare, and only a small number of cases have been reported; it has an estimated prevalence of 0.66% in individuals from 7 to 95 years. Risk factors include aging, use of steroids, and chronic diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using its high soft-tissue contrast resolution remains the most valuable imaging modality. A prompt diagnosis and treatment, which is usually conservative, is important to improve the quality of life in this group of patients. We describe a case of spontaneous iliopsoas tendon tear in an elderly woman.