bicolumn acetabular fracture

[pat96]

My dad had an accident and is having bicolumn acetabular fracture. I would like to know what th procedures involved in the surgery and how the recovery will be.

His serum lactate levels are high and am told that drs are going to wait until it is back to normal levels. what is the significance of serum lactate and is it normal to have high levels after the injury.

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks
Pat

[acetablum]

Typically, how long should patients expect to be in pain following an acetabular fracture/surgery and what type of medication can be expected to cope with the pain?

Thanks

[JainMD]

Hi,
High lactate level indicates lots of condition like sepsis, muscle injury, metastasis in body etc. Basically whenever the body switches over from aerobic metabolism to anaerobic metabolism like in muscle injury it causes lactate to raise.
Yes it is normal for lactate to be high after an injury.
Acetabulum fracture operations usually require surgical exposures in order to clean the fracture sites, realign the fracture fragments, and apply plates and screws to secure the fracture.
Acetabulum fractures are easier to repair when the surgery takes place within the first week after the injury.
Recovery period is long and is divided into parts depending up on clinical status.
Keep me posted if you have any queries.
Bye.