Overview
Open fracture of the acetabulum involving the anterior column is a severe orthopedic injury characterized by significant trauma to the hip joint, often resulting from high-energy mechanisms such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from height. This condition poses substantial challenges due to the complex anatomy of the acetabulum and the risk of associated neurovascular injuries. Patients affected are typically young to middle-aged adults but can span all age groups. Early and accurate management is crucial to prevent complications such as infection, nonunion, malunion, and post-traumatic arthritis. In day-to-day practice, prompt recognition and multidisciplinary care are essential for optimal outcomes 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930.Diagnosis
The diagnostic approach for open fractures of the acetabulum involving the anterior column involves a combination of clinical assessment and imaging studies. Initial evaluation includes a thorough history and physical examination to assess the extent of trauma, neurovascular status, and presence of associated injuries. Key diagnostic criteria and tests include:Management
The management of open fractures of the acetabulum involving the anterior column requires a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing initial stabilization, surgical intervention, and postoperative care.Initial Stabilization
Surgical Intervention
Postoperative Care
Specific Steps and Considerations
Complications
Prognosis & Follow-up
The prognosis for patients with open fractures of the acetabulum involving the anterior column varies based on the severity of injury, timeliness of intervention, and adherence to postoperative care protocols. Key prognostic indicators include:Recommended follow-up intervals typically include:
Special Populations
Key Recommendations
References
1 Iorio R, Corsetti F, Fenucci S, Viglietta E, Gugliotta Y, Migliorini F et al.. A modified direct anterior approach for primary total hip arthroplasty: surgical technique. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 2025. link 2 Ramadanov N, Voss M, Hable R, Prill R, Hakam HT, Salzmann M et al.. Indirect comparisons of traction table versus standard table in total hip arthroplasty through direct anterior approach: a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 2024. link 3 Huang XT, Liu DG, Jia B, Xu YX. Comparisons between Direct Anterior Approach and Lateral Approach for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty in Postoperative Orthopaedic Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Orthopaedic surgery 2021. link 4 Miller LE, Gondusky JS, Kamath AF, Boettner F, Wright J, Bhattacharyya S. Influence of surgical approach on complication risk in primary total hip arthroplasty. Acta orthopaedica 2018. link 5 van der Sijp MPL, Schipper IB, Keizer SB, Krijnen P, Niggebrugge AHP. Prospective comparison of the anterior and lateral approach in hemiarthroplasty for hip fractures: a study protocol. BMC musculoskeletal disorders 2017. link 6 Sakai T, Ohzono K, Nishii T, Takao M, Miki H, Nakamura N et al.. Modular acetabular reconstructive cup in acetabular revision total hip arthroplasty at a minimum ten year follow-up. International orthopaedics 2013. link 7 Wilson JM, Hadley ML, Larson D, Ledford CK, Bingham JS, Wyles CC et al.. Outcomes Following Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Contemporary Multicenter Study. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2025. link 8 Han S, Byrd Z, Ismaily SK, Delgadillo LE, Freedhand AM, Rodriguze-Quintana D et al.. Contributions of capsular releases to femoral exposure in total hip arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) 2024. link 9 Sarhan OA, Imam N, Levine HB, Redfern RE, Seidenstein AD, Klein GR. Comparison of Early Postoperative Step and Stair Counts With the Direct Anterior Approach Versus the Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of arthroplasty 2024. link 10 Ren R, Busigó Torres R, Sabo GC, Arroyave JS, Stern BZ, Chen DD et al.. Characteristics and Quality of Online Searches for Direct Anterior Versus Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty. The Journal of arthroplasty 2024. link 11 Nogier A, Tourabaly I, Ramos-Pascual S, Barreau X, Baraduc E, Saffarini M et al.. Excellent Clinical Outcomes and Return to Dance of 6 Active, Professional Ballet Dancers Aged Younger Than 40 Years at Total Hip Arthroplasty Through Direct Anterior Approach With a Custom Stem: A Case Report. Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine 2023. link 12 Sadowitz PM, Karlin WM, Lirtzman RA, Kowaleski MP. Fluoroscopic Categorization of Cementless Acetabular Component Positioning. Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T 2023. link 13 Harper KD, Nzeogu MI, Vakil JJ, Abdelfadeel WM, Saxena A, Star AM. A Consistent Anatomic Landmark for Identifying the Lateral Femoral Circumflex Artery in a Direct Anterior Hip Approach. Orthopedics 2022. link 14 Holzapfel BM, Corten K, Goldberg T, Rudert M, Nogler M, Moskal J et al.. Acetabular defect management and revision arthroplasty via the direct anterior approach. Operative Orthopadie und Traumatologie 2022. link 15 Baksh N, Wei L, Ho ES, Zhou JJ, Stekas ND, Eldib AM et al.. Radiation exposure in fluoroscopy-guided anterior total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review. European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie 2022. link 16 Wilson JM, Schwartz AM, Farley KX, Anastasio AT, Bradbury TL, Guild GN. Postoperative acetabular component position in revision hip arthroplasty: a comparison of the anterior and posterior approaches. Hip international : the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy 2022. link 17 Herrero C, Lavery JA, Anoushiravani AA, Davidovitch RI. Real-Time Fluoroscopic Navigation Improves Acetabular Component Positioning During Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty. Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Disease (2013) 2021. link 18 Kapilow JM, Gladnick BP, Anderson LA, Peters PC, Masonis JL. Acetabular Exposure Is Enhanced With Self-Retaining Retractors During Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty. Orthopedics 2021. link 19 Duethman NC, Statz JM, Trousdale RT, Taunton MJ. Reasons for Failure of Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty Performed Through a Direct Anterior Approach. Orthopedics 2020. link 20 Knoth C, Zettl R, Markle A, Dullenkopf A, Bruhin V, Hess F. A retrospective analysis of surgical outcomes following direct anterior hip arthroplasty with or without a surgical extension table. International orthopaedics 2020. link 21 Harold RE, Delagrammaticas D, Keller T, Butler B, Stover MD, Manning DW. Are single plane intraoperative and biplanar postoperative radiographic measurements of acetabular cup position the same?. Hip international : the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy 2020. link 22 Bedi A. Editorial Commentary: What Is an Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, and Does It Matter? There Are Many Ways to Skin a Cat!. Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association 2019. link 23 Barrett WP, Turner SE, Murphy JA, Flener JL, Alton TB. Prospective, Randomized Study of Direct Anterior Approach vs Posterolateral Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Concise 5-Year Follow-Up Evaluation. The Journal of arthroplasty 2019. link 24 Tamaki T, Ninomiya T, Jonishi K, Miura Y, Oinuma K, Shiratsuchi H. Acetabular revision using a Kerboull-type reinforcement device through direct anterior approach. Journal of orthopaedic surgery (Hong Kong) 2018. link 25 Lanting BA, Hartley KC, Raffoul AJ, Burkhart TA, Sommerville L, Martin GR et al.. Bikini versus traditional incision direct anterior approach: is there any difference in soft tissue damage?. Hip international : the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy 2017. link 26 Fransen B, Hoozemans M, Vos S. Direct anterior approach versus posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty : one surgeon, two approaches. Acta orthopaedica Belgica 2016. link 27 L'Hommedieu CE, Gera JJ, Rupp G, Salin JW, Cox JS, Duwelius PJ. Impact of Anterior vs Posterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty on Post-Acute Care Service Utilization. The Journal of arthroplasty 2016. link 28 Malek IA, Royce G, Bhatti SU, Whittaker JP, Phillips SP, Wilson IR et al.. A comparison between the direct anterior and posterior approaches for total hip arthroplasty: the role of an 'Enhanced Recovery' pathway. The bone & joint journal 2016. link 29 Hochfelder JP, Davidovitch RI. The Anterior Approach for Total Hip Replacement. Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Disease (2013) 2016. link 30 York PJ, Smarck CT, Judet T, Mauffrey C. Total hip arthroplasty via the anterior approach: tips and tricks for primary and revision surgery. International orthopaedics 2016. link 31 De Anta-Díaz B, Serralta-Gomis J, Lizaur-Utrilla A, Benavidez E, López-Prats FA. No differences between direct anterior and lateral approach for primary total hip arthroplasty related to muscle damage or functional outcome. International orthopaedics 2016. link 32 Jennings JD, Iorio J, Kleiner MT, Gaughan JP, Star AM. Intraoperative Fluoroscopy Improves Component Position During Anterior Hip Arthroplasty. Orthopedics 2015. link 33 Christensen CP, Jacobs CA. Comparison of Patient Function during the First Six Weeks after Direct Anterior or Posterior Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): A Randomized Study. The Journal of arthroplasty 2015. link 34 Christensen CP, Karthikeyan T, Jacobs CA. Greater prevalence of wound complications requiring reoperation with direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty. The Journal of arthroplasty 2014. link 35 Unger AS, Stronach BM, Bergin PF, Nogler M. Direct anterior total hip arthroplasty. Instructional course lectures 2014. link 36 De Geest T, Vansintjan P, De Loore G. Direct anterior total hip arthroplasty: complications and early outcome in a series of 300 cases. Acta orthopaedica Belgica 2013. link 37 Martin CT, Pugely AJ, Gao Y, Clark CR. A comparison of hospital length of stay and short-term morbidity between the anterior and the posterior approaches to total hip arthroplasty. The Journal of arthroplasty 2013. link 38 Mast NH, Laude F. Revision total hip arthroplasty performed through the Hueter interval. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume 2011. link 39 Sugano N, Takao M, Sakai T, Nishii T, Miki H, Nakamura N. Comparison of mini-incision total hip arthroplasty through an anterior approach and a posterior approach using navigation. The Orthopedic clinics of North America 2009. link 40 Echeverri S, Leyvraz PF, Zambelli PY, Jolles BM. Reliable acetabular cup orientation with a new gravity-assisted guidance system. The Journal of arthroplasty 2006. link 41 Pupparo F, Engh CA. Comparison of porous-threaded and smooth-threaded acetabular components of identical design. Two- to four-year results. Clinical orthopaedics and related research 1991. link