Presentation
Polytrauma after falling from a 5-meter height on the left side of the body. Painful shoulder and hip.
Patient Data
Radiograph of the left hip revealed an intertrochanteric fracture of the proximal femur. AO classification type 31A1.2.
Case Discussion
Fall from height injuries need thorough assessment as many different regions of the skeleton may be affected.
The greater the height, the more like the patient is to sustain multiple fractures throughout their skeleton.
The most commonly affected areas are:
- skull
- cervical spine
- scapulae
- upper extremities
- rib cage
- lumbar spine
- pelvis
- lower extremities
In the present case, the patient had an intertrochanteric fracture of the proximal hip and also a humeral greater tuberosity fracture (rID: 97565). The proximal femoral fracture was considered a type 31A1.2 according to the AO classification.