acetabular fracture
Last reviewed 01/2018
Fractures of the acetabulum occur when the head of the femur is driven into the pelvis.
There are two common patterns of trauma:
- a blow from the side - e.g. a fall
- a posterior dislocation of the hip - e.g. a blow on the knee from a car crash
Acetabular fractures are particularly complex because they combine:
- the complications of pelvic fractures - notably vascular damage
- the complications of joint disruption - notably articular cartilage damage, malcongruent loading and secondary arthritis