Hip dislocation in a 3-year old girl after minor trauma: A rare case report

Traumatic hip dislocations in children are rare injuries. They are mostly sustained after low-energy trauma in younger children, and after high-energy trauma in older children and adolescents. In 90 % of cases dislocation is posterior. Since this condition is an orthopedic emergency, it requires urgent reduction in order to avoid complications such as recurrent or habitual dislocation or avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head.

A 3-year old girl presented sustained posterior dislocation of the right hip after twisting injury. Clinically, the right leg was shortened, and in the position of adduction, with limited passive motion of the right hip joint. Plain pelvis X-ray revealed right hip joint dislocation. Emergency closed reduction was made after sedation by Allis maneuver, and one and a half hip spica cast was applied. After three weeks, the cast was removed and patients referred to physical therapy with allowed weight-bearing on the injured leg. At 8-month follow-up, clinical and radiographic findings were normal.

Careful evaluation, complete history, thorough clinical exam and imaging are required in rare cases of pediatric traumatic hip joint dislocation, with prompt closed reduction, in order to achieve favorable clinical outcomes.