Management of Traumatic Hip Dislocations in Irrua

BACKGROUND: The hip joint is an inherently stable joint; hence a great force is required to produce a traumatic dislocation. Associated injuries occasionally results following this.90 % of hip dislocations are posterior and quite often result from road traffic accidents. Thompson and Epstein grade 1 and 2 are known to be the commonest variety of posterior hip dislocation. METHOD: This is a retrospective study of all cases of traumatic hip dislocations seen at Irrua specialist teaching hospital Irrua, Edo state, South-South Nigeria, between 1st January 2008 and Dec 31 2012. Medical records of the patients were obtained and the relevant data analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were seen and treated during the study period. There were 23 (87.5 %) males and 1 (12.5 %) female, giving a male to female ratio of 7: 1. Median age was 33yrs. Posterior hip dislocation was seen in 70.83 % of cases. Thompson and Epstein 1 and 11 were seen in 76.47 %. All but one case resulted from road traffic accident. Associated injuries were seen in 45.83 % of cases, with acetabular rim fracture being the commonest. All but one presented in less than 6 hours from the incident. The commonest form of treatment was closed reduction in 87.5 % of patients. CONCLUSION: Posterior hip dislocation, Thompson and Epstein grade 1 and 11 were the commonest variety and grades of posterior hip dislocation in our environment respectively. Late presentation is not a notable problem in our environment. Most were amenable to closed reduction.