Acetabular fracture
Fractures of the acetabulum occur when the head of the femur is driven into the pelvis. This injury is caused by a blow to either the side or front of the knee and often occurs as a dashboard injury accompanied by a fracture of the femur.[1]
| Acetabular fracture | |
|---|---|
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| Acetabular fracture as seen on plain X-ray |
The acetabulum is a cavity situated on the outer surface of the hip bone, also called the coxal bone or innominate bone. It is made up of three bones, the ilium, ischium, and pubis. Together, the acetabulum and the head of the femur form the hip joint.
Fractures of the acetabulum in young individuals usually result from a high energy injury like vehicular accident or feet first fall. In older individuals or those with osteoporosis, a trivial fall may result in acetabular fracture.
In 1964, French surgeons Robertt Judet, Jean Judet, and Emile Letournel first described the mechanism, classification, and treatment of acetabular fracture. They classified these fractures into elementary (simple two part) and associated (complex three or more part) fractures.
Judet-Letournel classification
| Elementary fracture | Description | Associated fractures | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior wall | This is the most common variety of acetabular fracture. It typically occurs due to dashboard injury; when a person travelling in a vehicle involved in a head-on collision, the force applied over the flexed knee travels along the femur bone to the head of the femur, breaking the posterior wall of the acetabulum. The head of the femur is dislocated outside the joint. | T shape | When a transverse fracture also had a vertical fracture line, it is called a T shape fracture. Here the innominate bone is broken in such a way that all three parts of it, the ilium, the ischium and the pubis are separated from one another. This is a three part fracture. Though both columns are broken, the weight bearing dome is still attached to the main part of the ilium and hence it is not a true fracture of both columns.
This fracture may be associated with a fracture through the posterior wall as well, making it more complex. This fracture typically occurs when the injuring force is applied from the side, against the greater trochanter of the femur, as in a fall on the side or being hit on the side. This force may be combined with dashboard injury as well. The fracture is best seen in anteroposterior view and iliac and obturator oblique views. |
| Posterior column | As with posterior wall injury, this also typically occurs due to dash board injury. | Posterior column + Posterior wall | These fractures are extension of elementary fractures. With involvement of posterior wall, the difficulty in treatment increases. These fractures are rarely amenable to non-surgical treatment. Due to posterior wall fracture, the hip is usually dislocated posteriorly, requiring immediate reduction of dislocation and surgical reconstruction after few days.
Posterior column with posterior wall fracture occurs due to dash board injury. Antero posterior view may give clue to these injuries, Judet views and CT scan help in knowing the extent of injury. |
| Anterior wall | This fracture is uncommon, typically occurring when the injuring force is applied from the side, against the greater trochanter of the femur bone, as in a fall on the side or being hit on the side. | Transverse + posterior wall | These fractures are extension of elementary fractures. With involvement of posterior wall, the difficulty in treatment increases. These fractures are rarely amenable to non-surgical treatment. Due to posterior wall fracture, the hip is usually dislocated posteriorly, requiring immediate reduction of dislocation and surgical reconstruction after few days.
Occurs due to combined dash board injury and direct injury to the hip from the side. |
| Anterior column | This fracture is uncommon, typically occurring when the injuring force is applied from the side, against the greater trochanter of the femur bone, as in a fall on the side or being hit on the side. Depending on the location, the fractures are described as very low, low, intermediate and high anterior column fracture. | Anterior column + posterior hemi transverse | In this variety of fracture, the posterior or ilio ischial column is broken as a transverse fracture while the anterior or ilio pubic column is broken into multiple pieces. Part of the weight bearing dome in this variety of fracture is still attached to that part of iliac wing which is forms part of sacro iliac joint. This type of injury has to be differentiated from both column fracture, where in the weight bearing dome is a floating piece not attached directly to bone forming sacro iliac joint
Typically caused by a combination of forces acting on the hip though the femoral head. All three x-ray views plus CT scan is a must for diagnosis and management of this complex injury. In this injury, non-operative treatment rarely gives satisfactory results. Surgical management is ideal. The choice of approach rests with the surgeon, but going from front, or anterior approach is must. The posterior injury may be tacked with anterior approach by experienced surgeon. If the patient is unfit to undergo major surgery due to any reason, longitudinal traction to achieve secondary congruence of hip may help to restore hip function, though partially. |
| Transverse | In this variety of fracture, the innominate bone is broken such that the upper part consists of ilium with weight bearing dome and the lower part consists of ischium and pubic bones. It typically occurs when the injuring force is applied from the side, against the greater trochanter of the femur bone, as in a fall on the side or being hit on the side. This is a two part fracture, but though both columns are broken, it is not a true both-column fracture, as the weight bearing dome is still attached to main ilium.
In this variety of fracture, the innominate bone is broken such that the upper part consists of ilium with weight bearing dome and the lower part consists of ischium and pubic bones. It typically occurs when the injuring force is applied from the side, against the greater trochanter of the femur bone, as in a fall on the side or being hit on the side. This is a two part fracture, but though both columns are broken, it is not a true both-column fracture, as the weight bearing dome is still attached to main ilium. Depending on the level at which the fracture line passes in relation to weight bearing area, the transverse fracture is further subdivided into types:
X-ray visualization is best done in Antero posterior view and Iliac and obturator oblique views. In CT scan the characteristic feature is that the fracture line runs from front to back. CT scan also helps in identifying impaction of bone pieces and if there are pieces in the joint |
Combined both column fractures | These are the most complex injuries. Here the weight bearing roof or dome of the acetabulum is a floating piece. This adds to complexity of management.
All three x-ray views plus CT scan is a must for diagnosis and management of this complex injury.
Like any other acetabular fracture, if the femoral head is dislocated out of the socket, early reduction into socket is a priority. However, in this injury, non-operative treatment rarely gives satisfactory results. Surgical management is ideal. The choice of approach rests with the surgeon, but going from front, or anterior approach is must. The posterior injury may be tacked with anterior approach by experienced surgeon. If the patient is unfit to undergo major surgery due to any reason, longitudinal traction to achieve secondary congruence of hip may help to restore hip function, though partially. |
Presentation
Associated injuries and complications
The broken bone pieces or the dislocated head of the femur may injure the sciatic nerve, causing paralysis of the foot; the patient may or may not recover sensation in the foot, depending on the extent of injury to the nerve. The posterior wall fragment may be one large piece, or multiple pieces, and may be associated with impaction of the bone. Sciatic nerve injury and stoppage of blood supply to the femoral head at the time of accident or during surgery to treat the injury may occur. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are other complications that may occur in any type of injury to the acetabulum. A common postoperative complication is heterotopic ossification around the injured hip joint.[2]
Anatomy
To understand the fracture pattern of a fractured acetabulum, it is essential to have minimum three x-ray views, though use of CT scan with 3-D reconstruction of images has made understanding of these fractures easier.
- Pelvis with both hips antero posterior view. This view shows six important landmarks of the acetabulum, specifically:
- Pelvic brim
- Ilio ischial line
- Tear drop
- Anterior wall
- Posterior wall
- Weight bearing dome
- Iliac oblique view. This view shows the whole of the ilium, the posterior column, and the anterior wall
- Obturator oblique view. Shows the anterior column and the posterior wall.
 White: Anterior column, Red: Posterior column |
 Obturator view showing Anterior column and Posterior wall |
 Iliac oblique view showing Posterior column and Anterior wall |
Patterns of fracture
Tile's classification of acetabular fracture:
- I - Simple fracture, anterior or posterior wall column
- II - Transverse fracture
- III - T - Type fracture involving two columns
- IV - Both columns fractures, floating acetabulum
Diagnosis
Ideal x-ray visualization of an elementary fracture will depend on the fracture type:
- Posterior wall fracture: Iliac oblique and obturator oblique views
- Posterior column fracture: Iliac oblique and obturator oblique views
- Anterior wall fracture: Iliac oblique view
- Anterior column fracture: Obturator oblique view
In all cases, CT scan can assist in identifying impacted bone pieces, which may be found within the joint, and MRI may be done to identify the extent of potential injury to the sciatic nerve.
Treatment
If the femur head is dislocated, it should be reduced as soon as possible, to prevent damage to its blood supply. This is preferably done under anaesthesia, following which, leg is kept pulled by applying traction to prevent joint from dislocating.
The final management depends on the size of the fragment(s), stability and congruence of the joint. In some cases traction for six to eight weeks may be the only treatment required; however, surgical fixation using screw(s) and plate(s) may be required if the injury is more complex. The latter treatment will be called for if bone fragments do not fall into place, or if they are found in the joint, or if the joint itself is unstable.
Post-surgery
Depending on the stability achieved via initial treatment, the patient may be allowed to stand and walk with help of support within about six to eight weeks. Full function may return in about three months.
Principles of management
At the site of injury: After stabilizing an injured person and resuscitation, quick examination is done to check injury to vital organs.
If one suspects injury to the hip, it is imperative to immobilise the limb using some kind of support to prevent movements of the injured limb to prevent further damage
A trained paramedic may be able to diagnose hip dislocation by noticing the position of the injured limb. It is essential to document status of nerves and vessels before starting any treatment to protect oneself from litigation
On arrival at the hospital, trained trauma surgeon will assess the patient and prescribe necessary tests including x-rays as described earlier.
Non-surgical management consists of reducing the dislocated joint by maneuver under anaesthesia and applying traction to the limb to maintain position of joint and fractured bones. If non surgical management is preferred it may require six weeks to 3 months for recovery.
Surgical management
The surgical management requires high degree of training and well equipped centre. It should be carried out by experienced surgical team to get best results. The principles laid down for management are;
- Anatomic reduction of the fractured fragments
- Stable fixation
- Congruent joint
- Early mobilization
- Delayed weight bearing
Innominate bone is a flat bone with many curves. In most part the bone is thick enough and has broad surfaces that are amenable to primary fixation using lag screw(s) and to neutralize forces across the bone one needs to add plate(s) on the surface of the fractured fragments for it to heal without deformity.
Before surgery, patient needs tests to check fitness for surgery
Anaesthesia : the surgery may be performed either under regional anaesthesia or general anaesthesia
Surgical approaches. Following are the common approaches;
- Kocher Langenbeck approach for posterior injuries
- Ili inguinal, Ilio femoral of modified stoppa's approach for anterior or combined injuries
Implants : normally lag screws and reconstruction plates are preferred implants
Post operative management: would involve initial period or bed rest, followed by mobilisation by trained therapist
Total time to recover may be up to 3 months
Elderly patients have worse outcomes than other populations. Studies show that over 20 percent will require subsequent total hip arthroplasty.[3]
Gallery
Axial CT image (viewed on bone windows) of a complex comminuted left acetabular fracture involving both anterior and posterior columns.
Fracture of the acetabulum
Elementary fractures
Posterior wall fracture as seen on 3-D CT scan
Posterior wall fracture fixed with screws and plate
Function after fixation
Anterior wall fracture
As seen on 3D CT image
Fixation with screws and plate
High anterior column fracture 3 D CT scan picture
High anterior column fracture after fixation with screws and plates
Transverse fracture showing upper iliac fragment, lower ischial and pubic fragment
Transverse fracture fixed with screws and plate
Associated fractures
T shape fracture shown on bone model
X-ray of T shape fracture
Posterior column and wall fracture as seen on 3D CT
Posterior column and wall fixed using screws and plates
Both column fracture showing floating weight bearing dome
Both column fracture after fixation with screws and plates
Function after fixation both column fracture
References
| 1. | Matta JM, Anderson LM, Epstein HC, Hendricks P. Fractures of acetabulum: a retrospective analysis. Clin Orthop 1986; 205:230. |
| 2. | Rowe CR, Lowell JD. Prognosis of fractures of acetabulum. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1961; 43A: 30 - - 59. |
| 3. | Tile M. Fractures of pelvis and acetabulum. Baltimore; Williams & Wilkins. 1984 |
| 4. | Letournel E. Acetabular fractures, classification and management. Clin Orthop 1980; 151: 81–106. |
| 5. | Pennal GF, Davidson J, Garside H, Lewis J. Results of treatment of acetabular fractures. Clin Orthop 1980; 151: 115 - 123. |
| 6. | Tile M, Schatzker J. Rationale of operative fracture care. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York; Springer -Verlag. 1987. |
- Solomon, APLEY'S TRAUMA AND ORTHOPAEDICS, EIGHTH EDITION
- Stibolt RD Jr, Patel HA, Huntley SR, Lehtonen EJ, Shah AB, Naranje SM. Total hip arthroplasty for posttraumatic osteoarthritis following acetabular fracture: A systematic review of characteristics, outcomes, and complications. Chin J Traumatol. 2018 Jun;21(3):176-181. doi: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2018.02.004. Epub 2018 Apr 26. PMID: 29773451; PMCID: PMC6033725.
- Daurka JS, Pastides PS, Lewis A, Rickman M, Bircher MD. Acetabular fractures in patients aged > 55 years: a systematic review of the literature. Bone Joint J. 2014 Feb;96-B(2):157-63. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.96B2.32979. PMID: 24493178.