title: Hip dislocation without fracture: traction or mobilization after reduction?
abstract: In all, 41 patients with traumatic dislocation of the hip, without associated acetabular or femoral fracture, were treated by two different methods after closed reduction, performed on average 2 h after injury. Patients in group A (N = 20) were subjected to skeletal traction for 2 weeks, followed by non-weight bearing for 3 months. Those in group B (N = 21) were mobilized a few days (average 9 days) after injury and allowed partial weight bearing. They were fully weight bearing at 3 months. The 31 patients were followed up for an average of 7.6 years and showed comparable long-term results in both groups. No early complications occurred in group B. There were no cases of avascular necrosis in either group. There were three cases of post-traumatic arthritis in group A and one in group B, and two cases each of heterotopic ossification. Early mobilization was concluded to be a safe and more comfortable method of after-treatment. Earlier return to work was a significant benefit in Group B.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schlickewei
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elsässer
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mullaji
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kuner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications; D011859:Radiography; D014143:Traction; D016474:Weight-Bearing