Factors Related to Hip Muscle Weakness Following Fixation of Acetabular Fractures

Two hundred twenty-five acetabular fractures treated surgically by one surgeon using a single surgical approach were reviewed to identify the incidence of clinically significant hip muscle weakness. Clinical grade of fair or poor and presence of radiographic signs of osteoarthritis were most strongly correlated with hip muscle weakness (P<.0001). Other factors related to muscle weakness were >21 days to repair, abdominal trauma, infection, avascular necrosis, heterotopic ossification resection, chest trauma, and head trauma. The presence of arthritis at follow-up increased the incidence of hip muscle weakness (46% [41/89]; P<.0001) independent of surgical approach.