TITLE:
Bilateral Symmetric and Asymmetric Traumatic Hip Dislocations in Young Women: Two Case Reports and Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Akawoulou Komla Victore Agbao, Noufanangue Kanfitine Kombate, Tchaa Hodabalo Towoezim, Batarabadja Bakriga, Anani Abalo
KEYWORDS:
Bilateral Hip Dislocation, Asymmetric Dislocation, Obturator Dislocation, Acetabular Fracture-Dislocation, Road Traffic Accident
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
22,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Traumatic dislocation of the hip is an orthopaedic emergency that usually follows high-energy trauma in young adults. Bilateral dislocations are rare, and asymmetric patterns combining posterior fracture-dislocation and obturator dislocation are particularly uncommon. Case Presentation: We report two cases of bilateral hip dislocation in young women after road traffic accidents. The first patient presented with symmetric bilateral high posterior (iliac-type) dislocation without associated fracture. Closed reduction was performed three hours after injury, followed by one month of skin traction and progressive mobilisation with protected weight-bearing. At two years’ follow-up, she was pain-free, with a full range of motion and no radiological signs of avascular necrosis or early osteoarthritis. The second patient presented an asymmetric bilateral injury with posterior high fracture-dislocation of the right hip and contralateral obturator dislocation. Both hips were reduced urgently under general anaesthesia within two hours of trauma. The acetabular fracture-dislocation was then managed non-operatively with six weeks of transosseous condylar traction followed by staged rehabilitation with partial, then full, weight-bearing, while the obturator dislocation was treated conservatively after stable reduction with three weeks of skin traction and physiotherapy. At eleven months’ follow-up, she walked independently with only occasional discomfort on the right side and maintained joint congruence on imaging. Conclusion: These two cases illustrate the diversity and severity of bilateral traumatic hip dislocations. They underline the need to systematically assess both hips in any high-energy pelvic trauma and to perform prompt reduction. With early management and appropriate follow-up, satisfactory short-term functional outcomes can be achieved despite the rarity and potential complexity of these lesions.