Complications and outcomes in 69 consecutive patients with floating hip

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Radiology

Background:

• Floating hip is a rare and severe injury.
• Management strategies for floating hip injuries are critical.
• This study evaluates a specific management strategy for floating hip.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the management strategy for patients with floating hip.
• To assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of a standardized floating hip treatment protocol.
• To identify risk factors associated with floating hip injuries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 69 patients with floating hip (Jan 2010-Dec 2019).
• Standardized management strategy adapted to hemodynamic status and injury type (A, B, C).
• Clinical outcomes assessed via telephone interview (Majeed, Oxford scores); radiological outcomes by Matta's and Tornetta's criteria.

Main Results:

• 57% of patients had hemodynamic instability; Type C injuries correlated with higher transfusion needs.
• Good radiological outcomes achieved: 76% acetabular and 85% pelvic ring reductions.
• Complications occurred in 65% of patients; only 30% resumed prior physical and professional activities.

Conclusions:

• Type C floating hip poses a high bleeding risk, requiring careful pelvic and acetabular fracture reduction.
• Specialized, multidisciplinary management tailored to injury type and patient status is essential.
• Floating hip injuries are severe, necessitating standardized treatment protocols for optimal outcomes.