Acetabular fracture after cycling related falls: High index of suspicion is required to avoid missing the injury on plain radiographs

Abstract

Cycling participation as a medium of transport and as a competitive sport has steadily increased in recent decades. Traumatic injuries secondary to falls and collisions occur relatively frequently. Fractures of the hip and pelvis are uncommon with no studies to date reporting their exact incidence in this sport. Injuries specific to the acetabulum are reported even less frequently. We present four cases that highlight the insidious nature of acetabular fractures in cyclists and document their management and recovery. The number of acetabular fractures following falls from bicycles directly onto the lateral hip result in a relatively high number of fractures. Many of these may be missed due to the absence of findings on plain x-ray imaging. It is therefore important to have a high index of suspicion for hip and pelvis fractures when treating cycling related traumatic injuries.