Pelvic Insufficiency Fractures in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A single Case Report

Abstract

One of the risk factors for pelvic insufficiency fractures is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Unfortunately, the diagnosis of these fractures is difficult in these patients and their treatment is delayed. When a patient with RA comes a complaint of pain in the groin or lower back without a trauma, it should be considered that this may be an insufficiency fracture, and careful clinical assessment and appropriate imaging methods should be used. Insufficiency fractures are a rare complication of RA. In our case a 70-year old woman with RA presented with acute onset severe left groin pain. Computed tomographic scan of the left hip showed that there is probably an old fracture on the left anterior to the acetabular roof and superior-inferior pubic ramus. Fractures in the patient were treated conservatively. Early diagnosis followed by proper treatment may help improve the quality of life and prevent disability of these patients.

Keywords

• insufficiency fracture
• rheumatoid arthritis
• quality of life
• disability