Traumatic acetabular fracture with stable component

Traumatic fracture to the prosthetic joint remote from surgery with a stable cup are classified as Della Valle IIIA. These may be high or low energy and are greatly affected by the underlying bone stock of the patient.

The stability of the cup can be difficult to define, and serial radiographic and clinical evaluation may change the diagnosis over the course of time.

Further information about Della Valle classification can be found in the publication: Della Valle CJ, Momberger NG, Paprosky WG. Periprosthetic fractures of the acetabulum associated with a total hip arthroplasty. Instr Course Lect. 2003;52:281–290.

• High energy collision
• Low energy fall

• Pain
• Possible associated dislocation
• Leg length discrepancy

• Regular radiographs including Judet views
• CT scan