Posterior hip dislocation, a new technique for reduction

Acute posterior hip dislocation is a common and serious orthopaedic problem. Key features of a new technique for the closed reduction of both posttraumatic and artificial posteriorly dislocated hips include the lateral decubitus position, exaggeration of the deformity (hip flexion 100 degrees, internal rotation to 45 degrees, adduction to 45 degrees), palpation of the dislocated femoral head and greater trochanter and gravity-assisted reduction, utilizing a simultaneous push-pull maneuver. The technique has been successfully employed in 18 awake but sedated patients, requiring the help of only one assistant. It has proven to be simple, effective, and complication free.