title: Acetabular fractures in older patients.
abstract: Retrospective review of 25 patients over 65 years of age with unilateral acetabular fractures managed conservatively showed that seven of the 23 survivors (30%) had an unacceptable functional result. Poor results were associated with: displaced posterior column fractures, osteoporosis, femoral head fracture, delayed diagnosis, inadequate radiographs, inappropriate or too brief traction, and early weight-bearing. In this age group acetabular fractures tend to be low-velocity injuries of osteoporotic bone and are not comparable with those in younger patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Natal Medical School, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies