IS COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY USEFUL AFTER SIMPLE POSTERIOR HIP DISLOCATION

Recent articles and textbooks of orthopaedic traumatology recommend ro utine computed tomography (CT) scans after successful reduction of sim ple posterior hip dislocations. This is based on the belief that CT, e ven in cases with concentric reductions, may identify fractures or int raarticular loose bodies not apparent on standard radiographs. This st udy was conducted to assess the usefulness of CT after concentric redu ction of simple posterior hip dislocations. The hospital database was searched for all traumatic hip dislocations in the past 4 years. Chart s and radiographs were reviewed, and only patients with simple posteri or hip dislocations (no acetabular or femoral head fractures) and a co ncentric reduction identified on plain radiographs were included. Twen ty-three patients who met these criteria and had subsequent CT scans t o evaluate the hip joint were identified. CT scans confirmed the conce ntric reduction in all patients. Three small occult fractures were ide ntified, and no occult intraarticular loose bodies were found. CT find ings did not alter the treatment plan for any of the patients studied. In this small group of patients, CT scanning was not useful after con centric reduction by plain radiography of simple posterior hip disloca tions.