Acetabular fracture causing hip joint tamponade A case report

Abstract

An 81-year-old woman had severe hip pain after a fall. Radiography was normal, but computed tomography and sonography showed a minor, displaced acetabular fracture and hemarthrosis. Aspiration of 15 ml of blood reduced the intracapsular pressure in the neutral position from 30 kPa to atmospheric pressure with relief of pain and increased joint motion. This case confirms that acetabular fracture may escape radiographic diagnosis and cause hip joint tamponade. Aspiration should be considered as a palliative and possibly therapeutic measure.