Patients undergoing surgical hip dislocation for the treatment of acetabular fractures show favourable long-term outcome.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the cumulative ten-year survivorship of hips treated for acetabular fractures using surgical hip dislocation and to identify factors predictive of an unfavourable outcome. We followed up 60 consecutive patients (61 hips; mean age 36.3 years, standard deviation (sd) 15) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for a displaced fracture of the acetabulum (24 posterior wall, 18 transverse and posterior wall, ten transverse, and nine others) with a mean follow-up of 12.4 years (sd 3). Clinical grading was assessed using the modified Merle d'Aubigné score. Radiographic osteoarthritis was graded according to Matta. Kaplan-Meier survivorship and a univariate Cox-regression analysis were carried out using the following endpoints: total hip arthroplasty, a Merle d'Aubigné score of < 15 and/or progression of osteoarthritis. The ten-year cumulative survivorship was 82% (95% confidence interval 71 to 92). Predictors for the defined endpoints were femoral chondral lesions, marginal impaction, duration of surgery, and age of patient. Cite this article: <i>Bone Joint J</i> 2017;99-B:508-15.