The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 77, Issue 8 1184-1192, Copyright © 1995 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Biomechanical consequences of fracture and repair of the posterior wall of the acetabulum
SA Olson, BK Bay, MW Chapman and NA Sharkey
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento 95817, USA.
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.
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