Recurrent anterior dislocation of the hip. A case report.

Abstract

Traumatic anterior dislocation of the hip is an uncommon injury compared with posterior dislocation1. Nonoperative closed reduction is the treatment of choice for this injury. Recurrent anterior dislocation following such treatment is an exceptional event. We report the case of a patient with recurrent anterior hip dislocation that necessitated operative treatment. The patient was informed that information concerning this case would be submitted for publication. Ahealthy thirty-five-year-old woman slipped and fell while mopping a wet floor, causing forced abduction of both lower extremities and external rotation of the right leg. She presented to the emergency room with severe pain in the right hip, which was fixed in abduction and external rotation. The neurovascular status of the extremity was normal. Radiographs revealed anterior hip dislocation without evidence of fracture or dysplasia (center-edge angle, 28°) (Fig. 1). The hip was reduced with closed manipulation within two hours after the injury, with the patient under general anesthesia. The patient was subsequently managed with bed rest without traction for one week. She then resumed normal walking and underwent a course of physical therapy. Fig. 1 Anteroposterior radiograph of the pelvis, showing anterior hip dislocation. Eight months later, while bearing …