Surgical outcome and complications of posterior hip dislocation combined with femoral head fractures

Abstract

Objective To investigate the short-term surgical effect and complications of posterior dislocation of the hip with femoral head fractures.Methods Twenty-two patients with posterior dislocation of the hip with femoral head fractures treated surgically from December 1999 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively.All the patients were males aged from 23-52 years (mean 39.2 years).According to Pipkin classification,fractures were type Ⅰ in nine cases (41％),type Ⅱ in seven (32％),type Ⅲ in two (9％) and type Ⅳ in four (18％).Different surgical approaches and treatment methods were employed together with a periodic follow-up.Harris score and Thompson & Epstein score were used as measurement standard in postoperative clinical and radiological follow-up.Postoperative complications were analyzed as well.Results All the patients were followed up for mean 36 months.Clinical outcome as assessed by Harris criteria was excellent in 10 cases,good in seven,fair in two and poor in three,with excellent-good rate of 77％.Complications included femoral head avascular necrosis in four cases and traumatic arthritis in six.Heterotopic ossification of the hip did not occur.One case complicated with idiopathic injury of sciatic nerve was recovered at one year after operation.Conclusions Posterior dislocation of the hip with femoral head fractures should be operated as soon as possible.Operational modalities should depend on the type of fractures for the sake of reducing complications. Key words: Femoral fractures ; Hip dislocation ; Complications