Total hip arthroplasty in chronic unreduced hip fracture-dislocation

We treated 15 patients with chronic unreduced hip fracture-dislocations at our hospital; all patients sustained the fracture-dislocations in motor vehicle accidents. All presented to our institution more than 6 months after initial treatment at their local hospitals with uncontained femoral heads; all underwent 1-stage total hip arthroplasty with bone grafting. These patients were monitored for a mean of 71.5 months (range, 36-96 months). All patients had significantly decreased pain, increased function, and increased range-of-motion scores using the Merle d'Aubigné scoring system. All grafts showed radiographic evidence of union. There were 2 dislocations, 1 transient peroneal nerve palsy, and 1 superficial infection. Total hip arthroplasty is effective for relieving pain and restoring function in chronic unreduced hip fracture-dislocations.