Traumatic dislocation of the hip joint--pattern and management in a tropical African population

Traumatic dislocation of the hip is an orthopaedic emergency for which early reduction is indicated. This article describe our experience of the pattern and choice of management of traumatic dislocation of the hip joint in a tropical African population. Majority of the dislocation (87%) were Thompson and Epstein's grades I and II which were easily managed by closed reduction following the administration of titrated intravenous analgesic and intravenous diazepam. This treatment option is cheap and readily administrable to avoid undue delays in the management of this orthopaedic emergency. All the close reduction were carried out in the accident and emergency room except for one patient with bilateral posterior hip dislocation who had his reduction on the ward. Early diagnosis and treatment of traumatic hip dislocation are essential to reduce the morbidities that are commonly associated with delay in reduction.