A Case of Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis Initially Diagnosed as Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Abstract

We present the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with anterior groin pain, initially diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis (OA), scheduled for total hip arthroplasty, and subsequently diagnosed with an occult fragility fracture of the pelvis (FFP) by preoperative computed tomography (CT) examination. We diagnosed the patient with pre-existing hip OA and a bilateral sacrum and left pubic tubercle fracture that exacerbated the groin pain. We operated on the FFP followed by simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty. Given the high prevalence of hip OA and the increasing incidence of FFP, comorbidity of these 2 entities should be ruled out. Even if hip OA is apparent, plain radiographs are insufficient to rule out FFP, necessitating a thorough clinical examination, followed by a CT examination if an FFP is suspected.

Keywords

• Fragility fracture of the pelvis
• Hip osteoarthritis
• Total hip arthroplasty
• Computed tomography