We present the method for measuring the roof arc on radiographs and estimating this arc on ct scans.
Roof arc measurements for acetabular fx.
The criteria to treat acetabular fractures operatively versus nonoperatively continue to evolve.
For patients with acetabular fractures the extent to which a fracture involves the weight bearing dome has been estimated with the roof arc measurement obtained on radiographs and computed tomographic ct studies.
In acetabular fracture a medial roof arc angle less than 46 an anterior roof arc angle less than 52 or posterior roof arc angle less than 61 is considered to be involved in a weight bearing area.
These roof arc angle values may be used as a surgical guideline for an acetabular fracture around the weight bearing area.
In acetabular fracture a medial roof arc angle less than 46 degrees an anterior roof arc angle less than 52 degrees or posterior roof arc angle less than 61 degrees is considered to be involved in a weight bearing area.
Average medial anterior and posterior acetabular roof arc angles of the absawba of 94 normal acetabulum were 39 09 7 41 42 49 8 15 and 55 26 10 08 degrees respectively.
The technique of roof arc measurements was developed to identify the extent of superior acetabulum left intact after fracture.