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. 2023 Jun;35(2):133-141.
doi: 10.5371/hp.2023.35.2.133. Epub 2023 Jun 2.

Hip Function after Surgically Treated Isolated Traumatic Acetabular Fracture: A Prospective Series of Consecutive Cases

Indy Smits  1 , Niek Koenders  1 , Vincent Stirler  2 , Erik Hermans  2
Affiliations

Hip Function after Surgically Treated Isolated Traumatic Acetabular Fracture: A Prospective Series of Consecutive Cases

Indy Smits et al. Hip Pelvis. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: Isolated acetabular fractures can occur as a result of a high energy impact on the hip joint. Surgery is required for most patients with an isolated acetabular fracture in order to alleviate pain, restore joint stability, and regain hip function. This study was conducted in order to examine the course of hip function in patients after surgical treatment of an isolated traumatic acetabular fracture.

Materials and methods: This prospective series of consecutive cases included patients who underwent surgery for treatment of an isolated acetabular fracture in a European level one trauma center between 2016 and 2020. Patients with relevant concomitant injuries were excluded. Scoring of hip function was performed by a trauma surgeon using the Modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score at six-week, 12-week, six-month, and one-year follow-up. Scores between 3-11 indicate poor, 12-14 fair, 15-17 good, and 18 excellent hip function.

Results: Data on 46 patients were included. The mean score for hip function was 10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.09-12.91) at six-week follow-up (23 patients), 13.75 (95% CI 10.74-16.76) at 12-week follow-up (28 patients), 16 (95% CI 13.40-18.60) at six-month follow-up (25 patients), and 15.50 (95% CI 10.55-20.45) at one-year follow-up (17 patients). After one-year follow-up, the scores reflected an excellent outcome in 11 patients, good in five patients, and poor in one patient.

Conclusion: This study reports on the course of hip function in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for isolated acetabular fractures. Restoration of excellent hip function takes six months.

Keywords: Acetabulum; Activities of daily living; Articular range of motion; Hip joint; Pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors declare that there is no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Course of hip function after surgical treatment of isolated traumatic acetabular fractures.
CI: confidence interval.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. (A) Course of pain after surgical treatment of traumatic acetabular fractures. (B) Course of gait after surgical treatment of traumatic acetabular fractures. (C) Course of mobility after surgical treatment of traumatic acetabular fractures.
CI: confidence interval.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Course of hip function after surgical treatment of isolated traumatic acetabular fractures: sensitivity analysis.
CI: confidence interval.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Course of hip function after surgically treated elementary versus associated acetabular fractures.
CI: confidence interval.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Course of hip function after surgically treated acetabular fractures specified by age 0-59 versus age ≥60.
CI: confidence interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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