Background: Skeletal injury following a generalized tonic-clonic insult is rare. It is often missed as patients are unable to adequately express their symptoms in the post-ictal state, the apparent lack of a trauma prior to the insult and the low a priori chance. However, in order to ensure adequate treatment, timely diagnosis of these injuries is of great importance.
Case description: A 58-year old man had ongoing abdominal pain following a generalized tonic-clonic insult. Radiographic imaging showed these complaints to be the result of a bilateral acetabulum fracture, due to the forceful muscular contractions during the previous insult. Even though it is very rare and is only described 30 times worldwide, it is a potentially life-threatening injury. The patient was transferred to a specialized trauma center where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation. He recovered fully.
Conclusion: It is important to be aware of possible musculoskeletal injury following a generalized tonic-clonic insult, as timely diagnosis is of great importance for adequate treatment and the patients' prognosis.