Traumatic Hip Dislocation - Clinical Pearls

Patients with hip dislocations that are posterior characteristically hold the leg internally rotated and flexed across the midline.

Early relocation of hip dislocations has a much higher success rate. Waiting several hours may require relocation under general anesthesia and risks further injury to the femoral head blood supply.

If an acetabular fracture is present, relocating the hip into the socket will not harm the patient further. However, prolonged dislocation can result in femoral head necrosis, which will further complicate recovery.