title: Biomechanical consequences of fracture and repair of the posterior wall of the acetabulum.
abstract: We measured the distribution of contact area and pressure between the acetabulum and the femoral head of cadaveric pelves in three different conditions: intact, with an operatively created fracture of the posterior wall, and after anatomical reduction and fixation of the fracture with a buttress plate and interfragmentary screws. The study involved eight cadaveric hip joints from five pelves loaded to 2000 newtons in simulated single-limb stance. Measurements were made with pressure-sensitive film. The acetabulum was divided into three areas--the anterior wall, the superior aspect, and the posterior wall--for the analysis of the data. Creation of a fracture of the posterior wall was followed by an increase in contact area, maximum pressure, and contact force in the superior aspect of the acetabulum. A concomitant decrease in these parameters was observed in the anterior and posterior walls. Anatomical reduction and fixation of the fracture with a plate and screws did not restore the pattern of loading to pre-injury levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Bay
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sharkey
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D002102:Cadaver; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology