You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Acetabular fractures are common in cats and dogs following trauma. A simplified technique for repair is described.

The most common surgical technique used to repair intra-articular acetabular fractures of the pelvis is the application of a curved acetabular plate, or a bent finger plate and screws. However, contouring the small  plates needed to facilitate accurate reduction can be difficult and time consuming and the fracture reduction often displaces during tightening of the screws. At the North American Veterinary Conference in Florida (January 2001) Daniel D. Lewis of University of Florida , Gainesville described a simple technique using 2 screws, and a figure of eight tension band with bone cement.

The approach to the dorsal surface of the acetabulum is made in the usual manner, then 2 screws are positioned about 5 cm caudal and cranial to the fracture line, and a line drawn between the screws should cross at 90 degrees to the fracture line. Screws are selected to be long enough to leave 3-4 mm proud above the surface of the bone so that the figure of eight  tension band wire (18-20G) can sit under the heads of the screws. Once the tension band wire has been tightened and cut short (leaving at least 3 turns) the area is covered in bone cement - medical grade polymethylmethacrylate . The wound is then closed in the usual way. As for all pelvic surgery strict asepsis is needed, and the sciatic nerve should be identified and protected during the procedure.

Biomechanical studies have shown that this technique is superior for fracture reduction than the use of acetabular plates. In addition the repair is comparable to plates for strength and stiffness of repair.

Updated January 2016