Acetabular Fracture and Protrusio Acetabuli in an Elderly Patient Following a Fall

Abigail J. Gillard, Gail D. Deyle

DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2009.0410

The patient was an 85-year-old man with multiple medical comorbidities, who was admitted to a hospital inpatient setting for further evaluation after a fall at home earlier that day. The fall resulted in a right acetabular fracture. Radiographs, which indicated an acetabular fracture and protrusio acetabuli, were obtained 2 weeks after his initial injury. Subsequent computed tomography images revealed a comminuted acetabular fracture, with clear protrusion of the femoral head.The availability of diagnostic imaging to the physical therapist and a clear understanding of the nature of the patient's condition were important in this case, as any forces that could potentially increase the protrusion would have to be strictly limited. The patient was eventually transferred to a long-term care facility to convalesce and determine eligibility for operative management.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(9):703. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.0410

KEY WORDS: computed tomography, hip, pelvis, radiographs 

The patient was an 85-year-old man with multiple medical comorbidities, who was admitted to a hospital inpatient setting for further evaluation after a fall at home earlier that day.

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