Acetabular fractures
An acetabular fracture is a break in the socket of the hip joint (the cup-shaped part of the pelvis where the head of the femur fits). Because the acetabulum forms the hip socket, fractures here usually result from high-energy trauma (road accidents, falls from height) and can seriously affect hip stability, mobility, and long-term joint health.
Types of Acetabular Fractures
- Anterior wall/column fracture – affects the front portion of the socket.
- Posterior wall/column fracture – affects the back portion (most common type, often with hip dislocation).
- Transverse fracture – runs across the acetabulum.
- T-shaped fracture – complex pattern combining multiple breaks.
- Associated fracture patterns – involve more than one area of the acetabulum.