Acetabular Fracture

A break in your hip socket is known as an acetabular fracture. A "ball-and-socket" joint makes up your hip. The socket is created by your pelvic bone, the acetabulum. The ball is formed by your femoral head, which is the top of your femur (thigh bone). Your pelvis and thigh bone can move together thanks to the ball-and-socket joint. What enables you to walk is this joint.

Types of Acetabular Fractures

You can have an acetabular fracture on either side of your body. Your acetabulum can fracture in a variety of locations and ways known as patterns. These patterns are determined by location, direction, or both. Among acetabular fractures are:

• Anterior wall fractures: A break in the front column of bone or the region surrounding the bony rim (wall) of your hip socket is referred to as an anterior wall acetabular fracture.
• Acetabular fractures with a posterior wall: An acetabular fracture with a posterior wall is a break in the area surrounding the bony rim (wall) of your hip socket.
• Transverse fractures: If your acetabulum fractured at a 90-degree angle or perpendicular to the long part of your bone, it was a transverse fracture.
• Comminuted fractures: If your acetabulum fractured into more than two pieces, it was comminuted.

Symptoms

Severe hip pain from an acetabulum fracture can occasionally get worse with movement.

• You can have numbness or tingling down your leg if you've injured any nerves.
• You can also have leg heaviness.
• Infection

Diagnosed

Your pelvis, hips, and legs will be examined by your medical professional. They might:

• Request that you wiggle your toes and ankles to check for nerve damage.
• Depending on the nature of your injury, examine you for any other wounds.

The following imaging exams could possibly be requested by your healthcare provider:

• X-ray: An X-ray can identify which hip bones are damaged and whether or not the broken bone pieces are still in place.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan can produce a cross-sectional image of your hip that demonstrates the severity of your damage.

Treatment

The degree of your injury and fracture pattern will determine how you are treated for an acetabular fracture. Surgery might not be required if your fracture is stable and the bones are in their proper positions. Your doctor might advise you to:

• Crutches or a walker: You won't be able to put any weight on your leg until your bones have completely healed. For up to 12 weeks, you might need to use a walker or crutches.
• Leg-positioning device: Your doctor may advise limiting how your hip is positioned. To keep your hip in place, use a knee immobilizer or an abduction pillow.
• Painkillers: Your doctor can suggest a prescription to ease the discomfort.
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners):To lower the chance of blood clots forming in the veins of your legs, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners. Your doctor can suggest a prescription to ease the discomfort.
• An open reduction and internal fixation, or ORIF, involves your surgeon repositioning the broken pieces of bone. The pieces are held together by a surgical anchor while the bone heals.
• Total hip replacement: Your surgeon may do a total hip replacement if your acetabulum is too damaged or weak to be repaired. Your surgeon replaces the damaged hip and cartilage with prosthetic components during a total hip replacement.