Traumatic dislocation and fracture dislocation of the hip. A long-term follow-up study

Of 84 fracture dislocations of the hip reviewed, 73 were posterior fracture dislocations, nine were central, and two were obturator. Fifty-five were followed from one to 30 years (average, 4 1/2 years). The patients' ages ranged from three to 83 years (average, 33.1 years). All had primary attempt at closed reduction, with 15 treated with subsequent open reduction (six immediate and nine delayed). Satisfactory results were obtained in 42% of hips treated with closed reduction and 40% of those treated with open reduction. Statistical analysis of the results was done. A stable closed reduction produced results as satisfactory as open reduction. When followed for a sufficiently long time interval, severe fracture dislocations, regardless of treatment mode, caused unsatisfactory results.