Imaging of Pelvic and Femoral Fixation Hardware: Normal Findings and Hardware Failure

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2019 Apr;23(2):e1-e19. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1681048. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

Abstract

Good outcomes following treatment of pelvic ring injuries, acetabular fractures, and femur fractures rely on restoration of native pelvic or limb alignment, anatomical reduction and rigid stability of articular fractures, and early postoperative mobilization. Multiple surgical approaches, reduction aids, and orthopaedic implants are available to stabilize these fractures. Despite best practices, complications including hardware failure, nonunions, malunions, and infections occur. This article discusses common fracture classification systems, implants, and imaging findings associated with unwanted complications in fractures of the pelvis, acetabulum, and femur.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetabulum / injuries*
  • Acetabulum / surgery*
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery*
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Fractures, Bone / classification
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Hip Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Hip Fractures / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Dislocations / surgery*
  • Pelvic Bones / injuries*
  • Pelvic Bones / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Reoperation