title: Clinical failure after posterior wall acetabular fractures: the influence of initial fracture patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine radiographic and clinical features that predict rapid failure after open reduction and internal fixation of posterior wall acetabular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective radiographic review and patient follow-up study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open reduction and internal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiographs, Merle D'Aubigné scores, Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients had complete loss of joint space by one year postinjury; eight of these individuals required reconstructive surgery. These patients more commonly had fractures with comminution of three fragments or more (p = 0.001) or fracture into the subchondral arc at the level of the acetabular roof (p = 0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation are associated with certain types of posterior wall fracture patterns.
authors.affiliation: St. Croix Orthopaedics, P.A., Stillwater, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Saterbak
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Nepola
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Brandser
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turbett
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D017211:Treatment Failure