Birth-Related Traumatic Proximal Femoral Physeal Separation: A Case Report.

CASE: A full-term baby, born through emergency cesarean section, presented with pain and limited movement in his left leg. Radiographs at day 5 demonstrated superolateral displacement of the left femur, initially interpreted as a congenital hip dislocation. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated a normally positioned femoral head with no acetabular dysplasia, and repeat radiographs at 2-weeks revealed callus formation. Separation of the proximal femoral epiphysis was suspected and subsequently confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. No active intervention was recommended, and 1-year radiographs demonstrated satisfactory remodeling.

CONCLUSION

This report highlights the diagnostic challenges around this rare birth-related injury and demonstrates the excellent remodeling potential of the neonatal hip.