Pelvic Ring Fractures: Role of Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department

An 87-year-old woman with a history of osteoporosis presented to the emergency department with complaints of low back pain and difficulty walking due to falling onto her left hip 2 weeks prior. Given the delay in diagnostic evaluation and persistent symptoms, computed tomography (CT) of the lumbar spine was ordered. The results of the CT were read as noncontributory and a physical therapist was consulted. Following examination, the physical therapist recommended left hip radiographs. A CT scan of the hip, which was ordered due to its superior specificity in detecting subtle fractures and to assist intervention planning in the setting of geriatric trauma, revealed 3 pelvic ring fractures. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(12):942. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.9093.