OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of particulate cancellous bone impaction grafting in combination with total hip arthroplasty (THA) for acetabular reconstruction in patients with posttraumatic arthritis and bone loss after acetabular fractures.

METHODSTotally 15 consecutive cases with unilateral acetabular fracture were treated with bone impaction grafting in combination with THA in our department. There were 10 males and 5 females with mean age of 48.2 years (ranging from 36 to 73 years). Eight cases had the fracture at left hips, 7 at right hips. The average age at injury was 28 years (ranging from 18 to 68 years). The mean follow-up period was 4.3 years (ranging from 2 to 7 years).

RESULTSCompared with mean 42 points (ranging from 10 to 62) of the preoperative Harris score, the survival cases at the final follow-up had mean 84 points (ranging from 58 to 98). One patient had mild pain in the hip. No revision of the acetabular or femoral component was undertaken during the follow-up. Normal rotational centre of most hips was recovered except 2 cases in which it was 0.8 mm higher than that in opposite side. All of them had a stable radiographic appearance. Progressive radiolucent lines were observed in I, III zones in 2 cases. One patient had a nonprogressive radiolucent line in zone III. The cup prosthesis was obviously displaced (6 mm) in one patient, but had not been revised.

CONCLUSIONParticulate cancellous bone impaction grafting in combination with THA as a biological solution is an attractive procedure for acetabular reconstruction in patients with posttraumatic arthritis and bone loss after acetabular fracture, which can not only restore acetabular bone stock but also repair normal hip anatomy and its function.