Case Report on Locked Pubic Symphysis with Concomitant Ipsilateral Acetabular Fracture

Locked pubic symphysis or overlapping symphysis is a rare injury which happens when a pubic bone displaces behind the contra lateral pubic rami. It usually arises from lateral compression injuries. In this case report, we try to share our experience on the operative fixation of locked pubic symphysis and concomitant ipsilateral acetabular fracture.

A 24-year-old male patient presented after a road traffic accident with lateral compression injury to the pelvis. He was found to have locked pubic symphysis, right side transverse acetabular, and right side closed tibial fracture. He was taken to the operation theater 10 days later after he was managed for the additional chest contusion he had. Successful open reduction and plate fixation of the overlapped symphysis and percutaneous screw fixation of the ipsilateral acetabulum were done at the same time. An intramedullary nail was inserted for the tibial fracture.

Locked symphysis is a rare trauma and even more complex when associated with acetabular fracture. Both situations may happen at the same time and could be managed operatively.