title: Immediate full weightbearing after percutaneous fixation of anterior column acetabulum fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes of patients allowed immediate full weightbearing after closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of anterior column component acetabulum fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic Level I trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2001 and December 2008, 28 patients with anterior column or anterior column posterior hemitransverse acetabulum fractures that were determined to be amenable to percutaneous fixation (at the discretion of the senior author [M.T.A.]) were selected.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients underwent closed reduction and anterior to posterior supra-acetabular percutaneous screw fixation followed by immediate postoperative full weightbearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcome measures included clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes assessed with the modified Merle d'Aubigne Score and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients were lost to follow-up (less than 1 year), and the remaining 22 (79%) had a mean follow-up of 39 months (range, 12-74 months). There were no intraoperative complications. Radiographic grades were excellent in 19 patients, good in two patients, and fair in one patient. The mean modified Merle d'Aubigné Score was 17.4 (range, 11-18). The mean Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment function and bothersome index were 20.2 (range, 0-72.8) and 20.1 (range, 0-72.9), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes of patients in this study are comparable to other reported studies. Despite an immediate full weightbearing protocol, complications, particularly poor final radiographic grade, do not appear common. The advantage of this protocol lies in the ability to immediately ambulate postoperatively with early return to work and recreation. We believe this technique is safe and offers a reasonable alternative for anterior column acetabulum fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Namdar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Archdeacon
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult