The present study sought to determine long-term outcome in acetabular fracture and the factors associated with secondary implantation of a total hip arthroplasty and/or with poor functional results.

Seventy-two patients admitted between 2000 and 2005 were followed up for a maximum 11years (mean, 6.8years): 16 females, 56 males; mean age at injury, 41.6years (median, 40years). There were 45 simple acetabular fractures, 27 complex fractures and 27 dislocations. Late complications were: osteoarthritis (n=29), osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH: n=8) and heterotopic ossification (n=2).

Twenty-five total hip arthroplasties (THA) were performed, with a mean time to surgery of 3.7years. Associated factors for THA were: VAS (P<0.0001), PMA (P<0.0001), osteoarthritis (P<0.0001), ONFH (P<0.0002), initial dislocation (P=0.0002), no functional treatment (P=0.0014), surgical treatment (P=0.0065), initial traction (P=0.0068), anterior and posterior congruency defect (P=0.0072 and P<0.0001), and initial intra-articular foreign body (P=0.045). Factors associated with poor or bad functional results were the same, plus: etiology (P=0.0021), BMI (P=0.03) and posterior wall fracture (P=0.0325).

4; retrospective study.