Posterior dislocation of the hip

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Motor bike accident. Painful right hip. otherwise OK.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Posterior dislocation of the right hip, without obvious fracture. 

Posterior dislocation of the femoral head without acetabular fractures. Small bony fragments related to osteochondral fractures of the articular surface of the femoral head. A lipohemarthrosis is present.

Case Discussion

Posterior dislocation of the hip with small associated fractures. 

X-rays are usually sufficient to diagnose a posterior hip dislocation. CT is performed to assess for fractures of the acetabulum or femoral head however this is usually done after the hip has been relocated. Relocating the hip as soon as possible is important as the risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head increases the longer the hip is left dislocated.

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