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HomeSummaryReview of the conditionConsidering surgeryTypes of surgery recommendedWho should consider hip socket fracture surgery?What happens without surgery?Surgical optionsUrgency Risks Managing riskPreparing for surgeryAbout the procedureRecovering from surgeryRehabilitationConclusion

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Hip Socket Fracture Surgery.

Edited By: M.L. Chip Routt, Jr., M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, January 12, 2005

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Considering surgery

What kinds of surgery are recommended for hip socket fracture?

Acetabular (hip socket) fracture operations usually require surgical exposures in order to clean the fracture sites, realign the fracture fragments, and apply plates and screws to secure the fracture.

Who should consider hip socket fracture surgery for hip socket fracture and in what cases?

Patients with displaced and/or unstable acetabular fractures should strongly consider having surgery. The decision to have surgery should be discussed by the patient and physician.

What happens if nothing is done for hip socket fracture (best case/worst case scenarios)?

After an acetabular fracture, fragments of bone may be scattered within the body. If surgery is not used to fix this, these displaced fragments heal in poorly aligned locations. Consequently, the acetabular cartilage surfaces remain incongruous, and postraumatic arthritic changes occur in the acetabulum.

What options exist for surgery for hip socket fracture?

A variety of surgical options exist for acetabular fractures. The specific operation is selected based on the patient and their specific fracture. Some fracture patterns are amenable to percutaneous (small wound) surgical techniques, while others require open surgical treatment.

How urgent is hip socket fracture surgery for hip socket fracture?

Acetabular fractures are easier to repair when the surgery takes place within the first week after the injury. Early surgery also avoids prolonged bedrest for the patient. Delaying the operation complicates the surgical tactic.

What are the most frequent and most serious risks of hip socket fracture surgery for hip socket fracture? How common are they?

The risks associated with treating acetabular fractures are numerous, and unfortunately not uncommon. These exist for both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, and include deep vein blood clots and pneumonia, among others. Surgical risks include, but are not limited to, wound infection, nerve injury, and scarring.

If risks occur during or after hip socket fracture surgery for hip socket fracture how are they managed?

Risks are best managed by being aware of their possibility and trying to prevent them. Deep vein clots are treated with anticoagulation (blood thinner) medications. Infections require subsequent surgeries to cleanse the wound. An experienced surgeon should be able to handle not only the surgery, but its complications too.

Surgery for Hip Socket Fracture at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.


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