Bilateral Posterior Hip Dislocation Due to Fall from Height: A Case Report

Traumatic bilateral posterior hip dislocations are seldom seen. These lesions are associated with fractures of acetabulum, proximal femur, or both. With future complications of such injury, immediate closed reduction remains the mainstay of treatment. A radiographic investigation like computed tomography is very sensitive in detecting fracture fragments and thus forms an important part of hip dislocation management in modern practice. Long-term complications of hip dislocation include chondrolysis, avascular necrosis, and secondary osteoarthritis.

In this case report, we present to you an unusual case 23-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a history of fall from height with an attitude of flexion adduction and internal rotation deformity of bilateral lower limbs. After ruling out life-threatening injuries, initial radiological work-up composed of plain radiographs and computed tomography was suggestive of bilateral posterior hip dislocation without proximal femur and acetabular fractures. Immediate and prompt concentric hip reduction was achieved under general anesthesia. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had uneventful functional outcome and without radiographic complications.

Bilateral posterior hip dislocation is an emergency and requires urgent orthopedic management. The timely and concentric hip reduction is important as it affects the prognosis of such injuries. Computed tomography helps in identifying intra-articular fragments and changes the approach from closed reduction to open reduction. Long-term complications like avascular necrosis should be looked for at regular follow-up.