complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible complications include:
- acetabular fracture:
- the acetabulum may be sheared
- any fragments that have entered the joint should be removed by operation
- large bony fragments may be fixed by screws
- an accompanying femoral head fracture
- sciatic nerve injury
- avascular necrosis of the femoral head:
- immediate serious impairment of the femoral head blood supply occurs in about 10% of traumatic hip dislocations following immediate reduction
- the incidence rises to 40% if reduction is delayed for more than a few hours
- secondary osteoarthritis - from cartilage damage at the time of dislocation, or to femoral head necrosis