[Obturator dislocation--a rare complication of the total hip prosthesis. Case study]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• A 55-year-old female sustained a femoral neck fracture from a fall during squatting.
• Initial treatment involved primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) via a lateral approach, with good early outcomes.

Observation:

• The patient presented with severe pain and limited motion in the operated hip shortly after discharge.
• Clinical examination revealed extreme external rotation and abduction of the right lower extremity.
• Radiographs confirmed an obturator dislocation of the hip prosthesis.

Findings:

• The primary challenge was the closed reduction of the dislocated prosthesis.
• Open reduction was performed to address the obturator dislocation.
• Careful surgical technique was necessary to avoid iatrogenic injury during prosthesis removal from the obturator foramen.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for early hip dislocation after THA, even with initial good outcomes.
• It underscores the importance of vigilant post-operative monitoring and prompt management of prosthetic complications.
• Successful open reduction demonstrates a viable treatment option for obturator hip dislocation post-arthroplasty.