Acetabulum Fracture (Hip Socket Fracture)

Physical Therapy Videos - Hip and Pelvis

What Is It?

The hip socket is where your thigh bone connects to your pelvis. This "ball-and-socket" joint lets you walk and move your hip. The hip socket holds the ball of the thigh bone. Both have smooth surfaces to help them move easily.

X-ray of the pelvis demonstrating the femoral head and the acetabulum where the femoral head articulates. — Figure 1: X-ray of the pelvis showing the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) and the acetabulum (socket) where together they form the hip joint.

Bone models showing how the femoral head sits within the acetabulum. — Figure 2: Bone models showing how the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) sits within the acetabulum (hip socket).

How It Happens

Usually, a bad accident like a car crash or a fall from high up can break the hip socket. Older people have weaker bones, so even a small fall can cause a break. The hip socket can break in one or many places.

X-rays and CT scan demonstrating a fracture-dislocation of the right acetabulum. — Figure 3: X-rays and CT scan demonstrating a hip socket fracture with the ball-and-socket joint out of place (dislocated). The red arrows show the break. The middle image is a CT scan showing that the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) has broken out the back of the hip socket. The x-ray on the right shows the patient after surgery, with a plate and screws holding the bone in the correct location.

X-rays and CT scan demonstrating a fracture of the left acetabulum with multiple broken areas. — Figure 4: X-rays and CT scan showing a fracture of the hip socket with multiple broken areas. The red arrows indicate some of the breaks. The x-ray on the right shows the patient after surgery, with plates and screws in place holding the bone in the correct location.

First Steps

When you go to the emergency room, doctors check you and take x-rays and a CT scan. If the femur head and hip socket are out of place (dislocated), they will put it back in place. They might put a wire in your thigh bone above your knee and also weights to help your leg stay in the right place.

Treatment

You might need surgery to fix your hip socket fracture. A specialized doctor(Orthopaedic Surgeon) will help decide what is best. Surgery puts your bones back in the right place and uses plates and screws to hold them. This helps your hip socket heal correctly.

Recovery

You can't put much weight on your hurt leg for a while. You might need crutches or a walker to help you move. A physical therapist can help you get your strength back. It can take six to nine months to feel better.

Long Term

The main worry after a hip socket fracture is arthritis. Arthritis is when the smooth surface in your joint wears out and causes pain. Many things can affect your chance of getting arthritis. Some patients might need a hip replacement if the pain is too bad.