Fixation of Marginal Posterior Acetabular Wall Fractures Using Locking Reconstruction Plates and Monocortical Screws

Abstract

Marginal posterior wall fractures are often fixed by lag screws, which may be technically difficult and risks articular penetration. Spring plates are used to avoid articular penetration. Both lag screws and spring plates are usually buttressed by reconstruction plates. The aim of this report is to describe a technique for fixing those fractures using locking reconstruction plate and monocortical screws avoiding articular penetration and sparing spring plates. A locking reconstruction plate is placed in a position that allows buttressing of the fracture fragment and fixed proximally and distally first using non-locking screws. The marginal fracture is fixed using monocortical locking head screws. This technique has been performed on three patients; none had secondary displacement or nonunion. Fixing marginal posterior acetabular wall fractures using locking reconstruction plates and monocortical screws saves additional lag screws or spring plates without risking articular penetration.