Acetabulum fractures are pelvis fractures that involve the articular surface of the hip joint and may involve one or two columns, one or two walls, or the roof within the pelvis.
Diagnosis can be made radiographically with dedicated pelvis radiographs (including Judet views) but frequently require CT pelvis for surgical planning. Treatment can be nonoperative for non-displaced fractures but displaced injuries require anatomic open reduction and internal fixation to minimize development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Posterior column acetabular fractures are best surgically treated with a Kocher-Langenbeck approach, which allows access to the posterior column and posterior wall.
