Acetabulum Fracture
Medical term: Acetabular Fracture
Overview
An acetabulum fracture is a break in the hip socket, the cup-shaped cavity in the pelvis that cradles the head of the femur to form the hip joint. These fractures are typically caused by high-energy trauma, such as a motor vehicle collision or a fall from significant height, that drives the femoral head into the socket with enough force to fracture the bone. In older patients with weakened bone, lower-energy falls may also cause acetabular fractures.
Because the acetabulum forms the weight-bearing surface of the hip joint, accurate restoration of the joint surface is critical to preventing long-term complications such as post-traumatic arthritis. Our San Diego trauma surgeons have specialized training in the complex surgical approaches required for acetabular fracture repair, and we work closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan that gives the hip the best chance of lasting function.