Early Versus Delayed Hip Reduction in Treating Femoral Head Fracture Combined With Posterior Hip Dislocation: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Few studies focus on the treatment of femoral head fracture combined with posterior hip dislocation, and the the safe interval time between injury and reduction still remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the outcome of early and delayed hip reduction in treating femoral head fracture combined with posterior hip dislocation. Methods: A total of 71 patients were evaluated in this retrospective study. Based on the time to hip reduction, they were divided into early group (within 6 hours after injury) and delayed group (between 6 - 12 hours after injury). The two groups were compared in reference to hospital day, fracture healing time, the occurrence of complications and final functional outcome. The Thompson-Epstein criteria, modified merled’ Aubigne-Postel scores, visual analog scale (VAS) and Medical Outcomes Short Form 12-item questionnaire score (SF-12) were used for final functional evaluation.Results: The mean hospital day and fracture healing time in the early group were significantly lower than delayed group. The incidence of infection, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) in the delayed group were higher than early group. The early group had better functional outcomes in term of Thompson-Epstein criteria, modified merled’ Aubigne-Postel scores and physical component scale (PCS) than delayed group. Conclusions: For the treatment of femoral head fracture combined with posterior hip dislocation, the early and prompt hip reduction can effectively facilitate the fracture healing and patient recovery as well as obtain better functional outcomes.