Hip fracture presenting as mechanical low back pain subsequent to a fall: a case study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Geriatric Medicine
• Chiropractic

Background:

• Post-traumatic pain is common in older adults.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of hip injuries.
• Falls are a significant cause of fractures in the elderly Canadian population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of hip fracture initially misdiagnosed as mechanical low back pain.
• To emphasize the importance of thorough patient assessment in chiropractic practice.
• To highlight the utility of specific diagnostic tests in differentiating fracture from spinal pain.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 54-year-old female patient with lower back, hip, and lower extremity pain.
• Clinical assessment including diagnostic procedures to differentiate pain sources.
• Utilized a tuning fork test as part of the diagnostic process.

Main Results:

• The patient's pain was ultimately diagnosed as a hip fracture, not mechanical low back pain.
• The tuning fork test proved useful in distinguishing hip fracture from spinal conditions.
• The case underscores the potential for misdiagnosis in complex pain presentations.

Conclusions:

• Chiropractic care requires careful assessment to distinguish treatable conditions from those needing other interventions.
• Diagnostic tools like the tuning fork test can aid in identifying hip fractures.
• Falls and subsequent fractures pose a significant health concern for older Canadians, necessitating precise diagnostic approaches.