Fractures of the acetabulum. A clinical, radiological and experimental study

Abstract

There are discrepancies in reported series regarding treatment and late results of fractures of the acetabulum. The purpose of this investigation has been to perform a study of these fractures with reference to frequency, classification, radiologic appearance, cause of injury, associated injuries, treatment and late results. During 1963-1973, 123 patients with 124 acetabular fractures were admitted to the Departments of Otrthopaedic Surgery at Sahlgren Hospital in Goteborg. Ths study has included central acetabular fractures with and without central dislocation of the femoral head and posterior acetabular fractures with or without posterior dislocation of the femoral head. Of the 124 acetabular fractures, 85 were central and 39 posterior. Based on the reports of previous experimental work and on the theories of fracture mechanism in central acetabular fractures an experimental study of these fractures has been performed. The purpose was to design an experimental model by which central acetabular fractures could be produced on cadaver pelves and to determine the conditions (position of hip joint, and energy) under which various types of central acetabular fractures could be produced. A preliminary study comprising 12 experiments was performed which gave the optimal specimen set-up. Two experimental series, one with the femur in extension (20 experiments) and one with the femur in flexion (12 experiments) were then performed. In these two series 20 acetabular fractures were produced.