Both column fractures of the acetabulum: epidemiology, operative management and long-term-results

Both column fractures, defined as an acetabular fracture with no articular fragment in connection with the axial skeleton account for approximately 20% of all acetabular fractures. The typical type of a both column acetabular fracture is the C1.2 fracture with a multifragmentary anterior column fracture extending to the iliac crest and a large posterior column fragment in more than half of the patients.

The analysis of 135 surgically treated patients with both column fractures showed that more than half of these patients had associated injuries. The mean age was 40 years, and two thirds of these patients were male. A high energy trauma was the trauma mechanism in 87.4%. The mean ISS was 14.2 points. The mean articular fracture displacement was 14.8 mm. 65.9% of the patients showed a central femoral head dislocation. An associated posterior wall fracture was present in 34.8% and an acetabular roof comminution in 34.1%. 8.9% of patients had a fracture related nerve damage.

Osteosynthesis was performed 9.6 days after trauma. Several approaches were used for stabilization with a combination of plate and screw fixation in 71.9%. The mean operative time was 287 minutes with a blood loss of 1796 ml. Post operatively the hip joint was congruent in 94.7% with anatomical or near-anatomical joint reconstruction in 75.6%. Iatrogenic nerve injury occurred in 12 patients (8.9%). 89 patients (66.4%) could be followed after a mean of 54.6 months. The average subjective Visual Analog Scale pain score was 27.6. Mild or no pain was seen in 60.7%. The mean Merle d'Aubigné score was 15 with 60.7% of patients having a functionally perfect or good result. 61.8% had no post-traumatic osteoarthritic changes of their hip joint. A joint failure was diagnosed in 25.8% of the patients.

Analysing only patients with anatomically reconstructed hip joints patients had better results with 69,8% having no or mild pain and a good or excellent functional result. Post-traumatic arthrotic changes occued in only 17.5% of these patients. A joint failure was present in 25.4%. In this group, a joint failure was significantly more likely to be present with an additional lesion of the femoral head and severe primary articular fracture displacement.

In contrast to other acetabular fracture types, both column fractures show worser results regarding joint reconstruction, and functional and radiological long-term results. The optimal results can be achieved with anatomic joint reconstruction.