Acetabular fractures in elderly

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.

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.

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.

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.