Acetabular fractures in elderly

Background: This study aimed to determine characteristics of acetabular fractures in the elderly by evaluating clinical course and computed tomography-based radiological features between low- and high-energy acetabular fractures.Methods: We reviewed 178 consecutive patients with acetabular fractures aged >= 60 years from six centers. Low-energy fractures (group 1) were identified in 23 (12.9%) patients and high-energy fractures (group 2) in 155 (87.1%) patients. We compared demographics, radiological findings, and clinical course between the groups.Results: Average age (70.6 vs. 67.8 years, p = 0.046) and ratio of females (47.8% vs. 23.2%, p = 0.021) were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. The Charlson comorbidity index was also higher in group 1, but no other demographics showed difference. More patients in group 2 than in group 1 underwent surgery (91.6% vs. 73.9%); however, more in group 1 underwent minimally invasive surgery (17.4% vs 4.5%). Anterior column-associated fracture patterns occurred in 91.4% and 38.7% of cases in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Most fractures were displaced (>2 mm); 68% of which were comminuted. Furthermore, 24.2% of the fractures had superior dome impaction, whereas 23.0% were associated with posterior wall impaction.Conclusions: Patients who sustained low-energy acetabular fractures were mostly women, were older, and had more comorbidities. Radiological findings of low-energy acetabular fractures showed anterior column involvement associated with injury to the quadrilateral surface. Additionally, it was observed to be commonly combined with comminution and impacted fragments.(c) 2021 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the characteristics of acetabular fractures in the elderly by evaluating clinical course and radiological features based on CT scans. The study found differences between low-energy and high-energy fractures in terms of demographics, radiological findings, and clinical course.