Adult Post-traumatic Recurrent Posterior Hip Dislocation with 17-year Duration - A Case Report

Recurrent hip dislocations are quite uncommon, and only 2% of cases of all hip dislocations exhibit recurrence. Ligamentous laxity, joint capsule lesion, or structural hip abnormalities can all lead to such presentation. They are usually associated with acetabulum fractures and labrum injuries. To the best of our knowledge, there are no cases of adult recurrent posterior hip dislocation in the literature that we could find.

We present a case of 37-year-old male with a history of recurrent posterior hip dislocation with 17-year duration. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated significant osteoarthritic changes in Rt hip along with posterior labrum tear. The patient was planned for right total hip arthroplasty. Intraoperatively, we found an intra-articular bony fragment of the posterior wall of the acetabulum along with posterior labrum tear of about 1 cm.

This case highlights the importance of early recognition and stable reduction in the management of traumatic hip dislocations, as well as the need for thorough investigation and individualized treatment options for recurrent hip dislocation in adults.

Recurrent hip dislocations are rare in adults, but residual instability after closed reduction suggests ligamentous damage or acetabulum fractures. Early detection and stable reduction are the cornerstones of effective management.