Spontaneous Iliopsoas Tendon Rupture: An Uncommon Cause of Hip Pain in Elderly Patients

Iliopsoas tendon rupture is a relatively rare cause of hip pain. It has been described in children, in adults with pathologic avulsion secondary to metastatic disease, and in older individuals with multiple chronic illnesses. We are reporting a case of apparently spontaneous iliopsoas tendon rupture that occurred in an elderly patient presenting with severe debilitating hip pain whose etiology initially was unrecognized. Magnetic resonance imaging of the hip confirmed the diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of considering iliopsoas tear in the differential diagnosis of unexplained acute onset hip pain and illustrates that geriatric patients with this condition can be treated conservatively with satisfactory functional outcome.