Traumatic Hip Dislocation

Traumatic hip dislocation is uncommon in children and is the result of high energy force therefore, it is often associated with other significant injuries (Craig 1980 Salisbury and Eastwood 2000). Typically, it is the result of an axial force directed along the length of the femur, such as that which occurs when the hip is flexed and the knee impacted against the dashboard in a road traffic accident. The direction of dislocation will depend on the position of the hip at the moment of impact. If the hip is flexed and adducted, this will result in posterior dislocation. If the hip is abducted and externally rotated, this will result in anterior dislocation. Posterior dislocation is the commonest type and more frequently associated with fractures, particularly those of the posterior acetabulum. 

J Bone Joint Surg Am 53 1165-1179 Laorr A, Greenspan A, Anderson M, Moehring HD, McKinley T (1995) Traumatic hip dislocation early MRl findings. Skeletal Radiol 24 239-245... 

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