Epidemiology of traumatic hip dislocation in patients treated in Ceará, Brazil

OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiological profile of patients with traumatic hip dislocation treated in our Institute from November/2012 to July/2013. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study based on interviews and involving 43 patients who suffered traumatic hip dislocation was conducted. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 34.4 years old and 90.7% were male. Regarding the mechanism of injury, 95% involved traffic accidents. The posterior dislocation of the hip was the most common injury (93%). Associated lesions were observed in 74.4% of patients, hip fractures being the most frequent. The time span between accident and dislocation reduction was less than 6 hours in 37.2% of patients, between 6 and 12 hours in 32.5% and over 12 hours in 30.3%, ranging from 1 hour to 15 days. A fraction of 90.7% of patients was submitted to closed reduction. CONCLUSION Traumatic hip dislocation affected mostly young adults, victims of traffic accidents. The posterior dislocation of the hip was the most frequent injury and closed reduction was performed in 90.7% of patients. The time span between accident and dislocation reduction was less than 12 hours in most patients.