Neglected Posterior Hip Dislocation in Adults presenting after One Year Managed Successfully with Single Stage Total...

Neglected hip dislocation in adults may present as a dilemma to an orthopedic surgeon and is an uncommon occurrence. Literature mentions both closed reduction and open reduction as methods of management but mostly in children. Few cases have been present in the literature regarding adults with neglected hip dislocations. While almost all have failed in closed reduction, the open reduction has not yielded good results and total hip arthroplasty (THA) as a single stage procedure has not been explored much in regard to neglected isolated posterior dislocations of the hip. We report a series of three cases all with neglected dislocation of over 1 year which was managed with single stage total hip replacement.

Three cases of neglected posterior dislocation of the hip of more than 1 year (26 years, 28 years, and 32 years of age all males) presented with right leg in adduction, flexion, and internal rotation deformity and painful limp. They were all managed inadequately by traditional bonesetters. No signs of acetabular fracture or avascular necrosis (AVN) were present in radiography and computer tomography. A global softening of the femoral head was encountered in all the cases and uncemented THA was done. All patients did well with good to excellent functional outcomes (Harris hip score [HHS] of 81, 91, and modified HHS of 83) with a minimum of 1 year follow-up. No post-operative complications were encountered.

We want to emphasize the lack of literature concerning adult patients with neglected dislocations. Single stage THA is the best option considering the occurrence of AVN of the femoral head with global softening in such cases. A single stage THA attains good to excellent functional outcomes without any early post-operative complications.