Source
St. Croix Orthopaedics, P.A., Stillwater, Minnesota, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To determine radiographic and clinical features that predict rapid failure after open reduction and internal fixation of posterior wall acetabular fractures.
DESIGN:
Retrospective radiographic review and patient follow-up study.
SETTING:
University hospital.
PATIENTS:
Forty-two patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures.
INTERVENTION:
Open reduction and internal fixation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Radiographs, Merle D'Aubigné scores, Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment.
RESULTS:
Eleven patients had complete loss of joint space by one year postinjury; eight of these individuals required reconstructive surgery. These patients more commonly had fractures with comminution of three fragments or more (p = 0.001) or fracture into the subchondral arc at the level of the acetabular roof (p = 0.045).
CONCLUSION:
Poor outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation are associated with certain types of posterior wall fracture patterns.