Open Anterior Hip Dislocation in A Child: A Rare Mechanism of Injury

Traumatic anterior dislocation of the hip is an extremely rare condition in children and open dislocation is even rarer. This isusually caused by high-energy trauma. In the current study, we present a case of an eight-year-old child suffering from an open anterior–inferior dislocation of the right hip concomitant with pelvic ring disruption and an ipsilateral open distal femoral fracture (Salter-Harris type 4, Gustilo type IIIA) caused by a traffic accident. The patient underwent successful emergent open reduction due to the buttonholed femoral head after appropriate irrigation and debridement. Successful recovery was achieved and the patient was discharged after two weeks. After nine months of follow-up, the X-ray images showed slight changes related to the osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Long-term follow-up over a period of six years showed sufficient range of motion. The patient’s gait was normal and he was satisfied with the outcome. In addition, slight non-progressive osteonecrotic changes were obvious in the right hip.