Bedside ultrasound for hip dislocations

Abstract

Background: Bedside ultrasound in the emergency department is being used with increasing frequency and for an increasing scope of conditions.

Objectives: Demonstrate the use of bedside ultrasound as an adjunct for diagnosis of hip dislocation.

Case report: A traumatic anterior hip dislocation was diagnosed with bedside ultrasound after an initial normal plain radiograph.

Conclusion: Although the current standard of care for diagnosis of hip dislocation is plain radiographs, this case demonstrates that bedside ultrasound may be used as a diagnostic adjunct in this time-sensitive and potentially catastrophic diagnosis.