Management of acetabular fractures in the elderly patients: current achievements and new develop-ment trends

Abstract

There has still been controversy on selection of approapreate treatments for elderly patients with acetabular fracture who are rapidly increasing in number. Although the treatment principle for them is anatomical reduction, effective fixation and early mobilization, choice of a proper treatment has turned to be a new hot spot for clinical research because the physical status, bone quality and fracture type of the elderly population are special. With unceasing achievements in medicine, surgical techniques and implants, the management ideas and strategies for elderly acetabular fractures have become gradually mature and diversified. The current major protocols include conserverative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation and total hip arthroplasty. In order to enhance the surgeons’ knowledge of elderly acetabular fractures and summarize the cilinical experiences in management of them, we present this review to illustrate the current achievements and new development trends. Key words: Acetabulum; Fractures, bone; Fracture fixation, internal; Arthroplasty, re-placement, hip; Aged