Self-Reducible Painless and Recurrent Prosthetic Hip Dislocation: A Case Study

Prosthetic hip dislocations following total hip arthroplasty can significantly impact patient quality of life and functional capabilities. Early dislocations typically occur within the first three months post-surgery, while delayed dislocations arise after three months. Notably, patients may experience implant instability and dislocation for years, even decades, after the initial procedure due to a variety of underlying issues. A comprehensive evaluation including patient history, physical examination, and imaging studies is essential for diagnosing delayed dislocations. Reducing prosthetic hip dislocations can be particularly challenging, often necessitating the cooperation of multiple healthcare professionals to perform a series of reduction maneuvers. For this reason, it is surprising when an individual is able to self-reduce a dislocated prosthetic hip. Documenting this instance of self-reduction can foster dialogue among orthopedic surgeons and healthcare providers, ultimately enhancing the management strategies for similar cases in the future. In this study, the case of a 73-year-old male with a six-month history of painless, recurrent prosthetic hip dislocations with self-reduction is detailed. Self-reduction was performed via maneuvers including right lower extremity extension and external rotation. To corroborate the patient's story, multiple X-rays were obtained. These images demonstrated an initially stable right hip prosthesis, followed by evidence of a dislocated femoral implant, and concluded with a reduced hip after self-reduction. Self-reduction of a prosthetic hip dislocation by a patient is unusual, therefore presenting a unique case. The primary purpose of this case report is to describe this case of self-reduction, increase awareness of this instance, and highlight the importance of obtaining serial imaging to thoroughly identify a potential dislocation.