As an unusual traumatic presentation, acetabular fracture and concomitant ipsilateral intertrochanteric femur fracture: a retrospective case series of 18 patients

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fracture and concomitant ipsilateral intertrochanteric femur fracture has been suggested as an unusual traumatic presentation and rarely reported in the literature. The aims of this study were (1) to identify the etiological characteristics, (2) to summarize the treatment strategy, and (3) to present the mid- to long-term results of patients with this rare traumatic presentation. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 18 patients (15 males, 3 females; mean age = 42.77 ± 17.74 years, range = 16 to 87 years) who were diagnosed and treated for simultaneous acetabular fracture and ipsilateral intertrochanteric fracture were included. Injury mechanisms, fracture classifications, and treatment strategies were noted. To assess functional status, the Harris score was used. To evaluate pain intensity, visual analogous scale (VAS) was used. The reduction quality of acetabular fractures was examined as per Matta’s standard. Postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 10.04 ± 3.38 (range = 6.2 to 16 years). The most common injury mechanism was traffic accident, followed by falling from a tall height. As per the Evans classification, intertrochanteric fractures were defined as type 3 in 13 patients, type 2 in one patient, and type 4 in 4 patients. In acetabular fracture site, the most common fractures were posterior wall fractures, followed by anterior column fractures. All patients received internal fixation for their intertrochanteric fractures. Ten out of 18 patients also received internal fixation for their acetabular fracture. However, for the remaining patients, acetabular fractures were treated conservatively or with fracture fragment resection. Bony healing was achieved in all but one patient who died postoperatively. Twelve patients achieved excellent and good results (Harris score ≥ 80 points) whereas five patients achieved fair and poor results (Harris score < 80 points). The proportion of patients who achieved an excellent-good Harris score was 70.6%. Dislocation of the hip was found to be an independent risk factor (HR = 9.194, 95% CI = 1.024-82.515) for the poor patient outcome. CONCLUSION: To sum up, high-impact trauma is the main cause of acetabular fracture and concomitant ipsilateral intertrochanteric femur fracture. For patients who have undergone surgical treatment, fracture healing is usually achieved. However, the occurrence of complications, especially avascular necrosis, is the major cause of a poor prognosis. Dislocation of the hip joint at the time of injury is considered to be an important risk factor for a poor prognosis.