Abstract
Introduction
Four parts inter trochanteric fracture of femur are commonest in elderly people. DHS fixation is gold standard treatment of such fractures. Various Complications of DHS implant are reported in the literature. However, Hip Instability: Subluxation and Dislocation is very rare. We report, five cases of Hip instability following DHS fixation surgery.
Materials and Methods
This is a retrospective study conducted at ACPM Medical College, Dhule. We found only five cases that developed hip instability after DHS fixation since 1997. Available clinical notes and X-rays of these patients were studied to get the relevant information.
Results and Observations
Three patients were male, two female, four had right sided fracture and one had left sided. Three had instability after six weeks and remaining two developed dislocation after eight months which were associated with infection. 1 patient refused further investigations & treatment, 2 other died with due course of time 1 lost to follow-up and one patient with deep infection underwent excision arthroplasty. We could only speculate cause for dislocation / subluxation on the basis of clinical examination, X-ray, Investigations and review of literature. In these cases it appeared that the factors responsible for instability could be mechanical factors and pyogenic infection. Review of literature and possible aetiological factors, investigations and various aspects of management of such cases are discussed.
Conclusions
Mechanical factors such as intra-operative femoral head rotation, avulsion of greater trochanter, excessive medialisation, valgus reduction, excessive collapse, soft tissue injury, and infection are contributing factors for hip instability.
