Traumatic Hip Dislocation in an NCAA DI Football Player with Occult Sequelae: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• American football leads to high injury rates, with tackling as a primary cause.
• Collegiate football has higher injury rates (8.61/1000 AEs) than high school levels.
• Traumatic hip dislocations are rare in sports, typically resulting from high-energy impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the case of a collegiate football player with a traumatic posterior hip dislocation.
• To detail the management and recovery process, including surgical intervention.
• To illustrate the successful return to sport after a complicated hip injury.

Main Methods:

• A 22-year-old NCAA Division I defensive back sustained a type 1 posterior hip dislocation, MCL sprain, and muscle strains.
• Initial impairments included pain, limited range of motion, and reduced function.
• Management involved addressing initial injuries and later surgical intervention for sequelae.

Main Results:

• The athlete initially recovered and returned to training 4-5 months post-injury.
• New anterior hip pain emerged 7 months post-injury, necessitating surgery for occult sequelae.
• Full return to play was achieved for the subsequent football season.

Conclusions:

• Successful return to sport is possible after traumatic posterior hip dislocation in football players.
• Complicated recovery courses, including surgical intervention, may be required.
• This case underscores the importance of comprehensive management for severe athletic hip injuries.