Chronic Recurrent Posterior Dislocation of the Hip After a Pipkin Fracture Treated with Intertrochanteric Osteotomy and Acetabuloplasty

A traumatic dislocation of the hip associated with a femoral head fracture was first described by Birkett1 in 1869. Almost a century later, a classification of these injuries was proposed by Pipkin11, whose name has since been associated with this lesion. The treatment guidelines have evolved on the basis of a relatively limited series of studies2,3,5,8,9,13,15. Emergency reduction of the hip is imperative, regardless of the type or extent of the fracture13,16. Once reduction is accomplished, further evaluation, including computed tomography, is indicated to assess the congruity and stability of the joint. Treatment options include nonoperative treatment, excision of fracture fragments, open reduction and internal fixation, arthroplasty, and arthrodesis. Complications associated with these injuries are avascular necrosis of the femoral head, nonunion of the femoral head fragment, and posttraumatic arthritis2,3,5-9,11-16.