Neglected Two-Week-Old Unstable Fracture-Dislocation of the Hip in a 60 Years Old, Managed with Hip Preservation Surgery

Hip joint fracture-dislocations are rare injuries and usually result from high energy trauma. Femoral head fractures account for only 7-16% of all hip fracture-dislocations. There is always a controversy regarding optimal surgical treatment modality and approach for the treatment of Pipkin type IV fractures. In a 60 years old individual, various reports favor primary hip arthroplasty as compared to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The posterior approach is preferred because it provides adequate exposure of the acetabular fracture and an opportunity for simultaneous repair of the femoral head and acetabular fractures. Another benefit is that anterior vascular supply to the femoral head and abductor function can be preserved.

In this case report, we present a neglected 15 days old rare injury (Pipkin type IV femoral head fracture) in a 60 years old male patient that was given a trial of hip preservation surgery by ORIF through posterior (Kocher-Langenbeck) approach.

A neglected case of Pipkin type IV injury with chances of avascular necrosis and arthritis can be given a trial of hip preservation surgery because in an Indian scenario sitting cross legged and squatting are indispensable activities of daily lifestyle and appropriate surgical technique, adequate exposure, anatomic reduction, and stable internal fixation of the fractures are critical to achieve satisfactory clinical results.