Determinants of functional outcome after simple and complex acetabular fractures involving the posterior wall

Background: The incidence of acetabular fractures has increased following road traffic accidents. The aim of the study is to evaluate functional and radiological outcome in surgically managed posterior wall and column fractures of acetabulum.Methods: This is a prospective study done at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad between May 2018 and May 2020. The sample size is 20 patients between the age group 18-60 years who presented to the hospital with closed posterior wall and/or column fractures of acetabulum with or without posterior dislocation of hip joint. Functional outcome is assessed by using the modified Merle D’ Aubigne Postel clinical grading system, radiological outcome by Matta et al and perioperative complication are assessed by retrospectively analyzing medical records and radiographics examination.Results: Functional outcome according to Merle D’ Aubigne and Postel score 16 patients (75%) showed good, 3 patients (20%) showed fair, 1 patient (5%) showed poor outcome. Radiological outcome according to Matta criteria, 16 patients (75%) showed excellent quality of joint reduction, 4 patients (25%) showed good quality of reduction of joint. There was significant correlation between anatomic reduction of the joint surface and functional outcome of the patient in our study (p value <0.05).Conclusions: Accurate joint reduction is of utmost importance in reduction of posterior wall or column fractures of acetabulum as posterior wall is the weight bearing zone. Functional outcome depends on fracture type, associated injuries, selection of patient, time between injury and surgery and postoperative rehabilitation.

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Osteosynthesis of Common Acetabular Fractures Operated on Through a Single Posterior (Kocher-Langenbeck) Approach with or without Trochanteric Flip Osteotomy. A Case Series

Ortopedia Traumatologia Rehabilitacja ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0015.2364 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 271-277

Author(s):

Qazi Waris Manzoor ◽

Asif Sultan ◽

Bashir Ahmed Mir

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Nerve Palsy ◽

Posterior Approach ◽

Case Series ◽

Posterior Wall ◽

Posterior Column ◽

Acetabular Fractures ◽

Single Posterior Approach ◽

Necrosis Of Femoral Head ◽

Trochanteric Flip Osteotomy

Background. The Kocher-Langenbeck approach is recommended in the majority of common posterior acetabular injuries. Trochanteric osteotomy can be used to extend the exposure of the Kocher-Langenbeck approach superiorly and anteriorly. We evaluated the functional outcome of common acetabular fractures operated on through the Kocher-Langenbeck approach with or without trochanteric flip osteotomy. Material and methods. This prospective study enrolled 42 patients with posterior wall, posterior column, transverse, posterior wall with posterior column, transverse with posterior wall and both column acetabular fractures. The Kocher-Langenbeck approach was used in 35 patients and trochanteric flip osteotomy was done in 7 patients. The radiological outcome was evaluated by Matta’s criteria and the functional outcome was evaluated using modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel criteria. Results. D’Aubigne Postel scores at the final follow-up were excellent in 12 patients, good in 18, fair in 8 and poor in 4. Thirty-seven patients had congruent reduction (anatomical in 29, imperfect in 8) and 5 patients had non-congruent reduction on radiographs as per Matta’s criteria. Radiographic congruity (88.09%, 37 out of 42 cases) correlated fairly well with the functional outcome (excellent or good functional outcome in 71.4%, 30 out of 42 cases). The complications included traumatic nerve palsy (3 cases), iatrogenic nerve palsy (2 cases), deep venous thrombosis (2 cases), wound infection (3 cases), non-congruent reduction (5 cases), 8 cases of osteoarthritis of hip, 2 cases of avascular necrosis of femoral head and 3 cases of heterotrophic ossification. Conclusions. 1. Surgical treatment of common acetabular fractures with major posterior involvement can be attempted via a single posterior approach (Kocher-Langenbeck with or without trochanteric flip osteotomy) and leads to good-to-excellent results in a majority of the cases. 2. It is superior to conservative management, which has been found to be accompanied by a much higher rate of complications. 3. A thorough study of the pre-operative radiographs, Judet’s views and 3D-reconstructed CT images helps in classifying the fracture and thereby assigning or not assigning it for the posterior approach.

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Effects of the acetabular fracture index and other factors of posterior wall acetabular fracture on functional outcome

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060517709816 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 1394-1405 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hai-Tao Long ◽

Zhen-Han Deng ◽

Min Zou ◽

Zhang-Yuan Lin ◽

Jian-Xi Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Femoral Head ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Avascular Necrosis ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Acetabular Fracture ◽

Posterior Wall ◽

Functional Score ◽

Related Data ◽

Limb Fracture

Objective To analyze the effects of the acetabular fracture index (AFI) and other factors on the functional outcome of patients with acetabular fractures involving the posterior wall. Methods Forty-eight patients who underwent surgery in our department were reviewed. According to the AFI, which indicates the percentage of remaining intact posterior acetabular arc, the patients were divided into Group A (AFI ≤ 25%, 11 patients), Group B (25% < AFI ≤ 50%, 23 patients), Group C (50% < AFI ≤ 75%, 7 patients), and Group D (75% < AFI ≤ 100%, 7 patients). The AFI was measured with a computed tomography picture archiving and communication system or calculated with the cosine theorem. A nonparametric test and ordinal regression were used to determine the role of the AFI and other factors on the functional outcome. Perioperative information, including demographic and fracture-related data, reduction quality, physical therapy duration, association with a lower limb fracture and avascular necrosis of the femoral head were prospectively gathered. Results The mean AFIs of A, B, C, and D groups were 14.3%, 35.9%, 59.5%, and 81.2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups for demographic and fracture-related data. A better reduction quality (OR = 4.21, 95%CI 1.42 ∼ 12.43, χ2 = 6.781, P = 0.009) and a larger value of AFI (OR = 2.56, 95%CI 1.18 ∼ 5.55, χ2 = 5.648, P = 0.017) result in a higher functional score. The functional outcome of a physical therapy duration of more than 12 months (OR = 0.15, 95%CI 0.02 ∼ 0.90, χ2 = 4.324, P = 0.038) was better than that of less than 12 months. Lower limb fracture (OR = 0.13, 95%CI 0.02 ∼ 0.74, χ2 = 5.235, P = 0.022) and avascular necrosis of femoral head (OR = 0.02, 95%CI 0.00 ∼ 0.87, χ2 = 4.127, P = 0.042) were found to correlate with a lower functional score. Conclusion With a greater of AFI, the functional outcome score would be better. Other factors, including reduction quality, physical therapy duration, association with a lower limb fracture, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head, most likely also affect hip functional recovery.

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