Fractures of the acetabulum.

A rational approach to acetabular fractures based on a precise diagnosis of the fracture pattern is suggested. The surgeon must adopt an individual approach to these difficult problems and precisely define the type of patient, the type of health care team, and the type of fracture he is dealing with. If the principles of treatment of lower extremity joint fractures are followed, logical management will ensue. If an operative approach is indicated, careful planning is needed to choose the proper approach so that the surgeon can achieve anatomic reduction and rigid fixation. Failure to do so will add needless trauma to an already traumatized patient and compromise the end result as much as will failure to achieve congruity by closed means.