A new technique for reduction of a posteriorly dislocated hip joint

Abstract

Posterior hip dislocation is commonly seen in the emergency department and requires urgent reduction to help avoid complications. Many techniques have been described to perform the reduction, all aimed at helping the physician gain a mechanical advantage to overcome the bony anatomy and large muscles groups involved. We describe a new technique that utilizes a hydraulic patient lift to help provide the traction force necessary to reduce posterior hip dislocations. The patient is secured to the bed with a strap or sheet tied over their pelvis and then a loop is secured under their popliteal region and secured to the hydraulic lift. The lift is engaged to create the desired traction, allowing the provider to manipulate the hip with adduction/abduction and/or internal/external rotation to achieve reduction. In addition, our method may also allow the provider to task switch more easily between other requirements, such as procedural sedation and attention to the patient's airway, especially in the single coverage emergency department.

Keywords: Emergency department; Hip; Reduction; Technique.