What Is Protusio Acetabuli (Protruded Acetabulum)?
Let’s start with the basics. The hip joint is like a ball-and-socket mechanism – the ball is the head of your thigh bone (femur) and the socket is a part of your pelvis, called the acetabulum.
In a condition called Protusio Acetabuli, this socket moves inward – deeper into the pelvis than it should be. This makes the joint unstable, painful, and stiff, and can even lead to the leg becoming shorter.
❓What Causes This Condition?
There are quite a few reasons someone might develop Protusio Acetabuli:
- Bone disorders like Otto pelvis, Paget’s disease, or Marfan syndrome
- Inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Old fractures of the hip socket (acetabulum)
- Tuberculosis or Osteomalacia
- Or it could even be present since birth (congenital)
Real-Life Case: A 👩🌾Farmer from Mhow, Madhya Pradesh
A 60-year-old farmer came to my satellite OPD at AKJC with complaints of:
- 😢Pain in the left hip, especially while walking
- Stiffness in the joint
- Shortening of his left leg
- Constant 🌙night pain, worsening for over a year
He had a history of an acetabular fracture 15 months ago and was treated with an acetabular plate.
We got an X-ray and CT scan done and diagnosed him with Protusio Acetabuli. Due to the complexity, we planned a Total Hip Replacement (THR) using special revision implants – just in case we needed more support during surgery.
Why This Surgery Is Tricky
Surgery in such cases isn’t straightforward. Here’s why:
- The femoral head (ball⚽) is stuck deep inside the pelvis, making it tough to dislocate during surgery.
- The acetabulum (socket) is deeper and wider than usual, so we need larger implants with extra fixation (like more screws or support cages).
- There can be gaps or bone loss, which we fill using bone grafts or similar materials.
- We also have to be very careful about the muscles, ligaments, and nerves, which are at risk of being overstretched.
Surgery & Recovery
The patient underwent a modular revision hip replacement, and everything went well. Post-surgery, he showed good recovery, improved movement, relief from pain, and regained leg length.
Final Thoughts
Protusio Acetabuli is a rare and complex condition, but with the right diagnosis and planning, a successful hip replacement is possible.
At AKJC – Anupam Khandelwal Joint Clinic, we specialize in treating challenging hip and knee cases with advanced techniques and personalized care.
Need Help with Hip Pain or a Complicated Joint Issue?
👨⚕️ Consult Dr. Anupam Khandelwal – Joint Replacement & Orthopaedic Surgeon
🌐 www.dranupamkhandelwal.com
📍 AKJC – Anupam Khandelwal Joint Clinic
📞 Call: +91-8818814030
📧 Email: contact@dranupamkhandelwal.com