Comparative outcome of different treatment options for acetabulum fractures in elderly individuals—a retrospective analysis of 207 patients

Purpose Acetabular fractures are challenging injuries in the heterogeneous population of elderly patients. In patients able to partially bear weight, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is indicated. In frail patients, ORIF combined with primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) allows early weight-bearing to preserve independence. This article systematically analyses a treatment algorithm that separates fractures into stable fractures treated conservatively and fractures needing surgical stabilization with osteosynthesis or osteosynthesis plus arthroplasty, dependent on patient characteristics but less on the fracture classification or energetic impact of the trauma. Methods Data on patients ≥50 years of age treated for acetabular fractures (2009–2019) were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was loss of independence. In-hospital complications, length of stay, re-operations, the need for walking aids, and pain were analyzed as secondary outcomes. Results Out of 207 patients, 135 were male, average age was 70 years. Eighty-five patients were treated conservatively, 89 ORIF, and 33 ORIF plus arthroplasty in one operation. The initial morbidity of patients treated with the combined operation was higher than osteosynthesis alone, but the long-term outcome was favorable with less pain and fewer secondary interventions. Age and female gender were associated with the decision to treat the fracture with the combination of osteosynthesis and arthroplasty. Conclusions The results suggest that aged and potentially frail patients with acetabular fracture have better long-term outcome after ORIF combined with arthroplasty at the price of an initially higher risk of adverse outcomes. Females were more frequently treated with the combined operation independent of other risk factors