Obturator dislocation: the forgotten hip dislocation.

PURPOSE: Obturator dislocations of the hip are a rare subtype of anterior hip dislocation with poorly described reduction techniques. They are associated with high energy trauma and prompt; effective closed reduction is often vital to the patient’s wellbeing. Delayed reduction can lead to high rates of avascular necrosis of the femoral head and failed closed reduction can mean operative intervention is required.

METHODS

We propose a new technique utilising inline traction, abduction and external rotation as well as direct lateral pressure on the femoral head to reduce the dislocation. We present the case of a 25-year-old man who sustained an obturator dislocation of his left hip following a motorbike accident.

RESULTS

This technique led to concentric reduction without any neurovascular complications and was performed promptly in an emergency department not requiring any special equipment.

CONCLUSION

Our technique is specifically tailored to obturator dislocations and considers the anatomical barriers to reduction. It is readily reproducible with two physicians neither of whom had prior experience with obturator or anterior hip dislocations.