Traumatic Hip Dislocation in an NCAA DI Football Player with Occult Sequelae: A Case Report

Background and Purpose American football generates the most sports-related injuries in the United States, with tackling as the leading injury mechanism. Overall injury rate at the collegiate level has been reported as 8.61 per 1,000 athlete exposures (AEs) - twice the rate of high school levels; competition injury rates are reported as high as 36.94/1000 AEs. Traumatic hip dislocation is an uncommon injury typically arising from high-energy axial impact with only 2-5.5% occurring during sports activities. Case Description A 22-year-old NCAA Division I football defensive back who experienced extreme left hip pain following contact with another player with his hip flexed during a game was diagnosed with a type 1 posterior hip dislocation, a grade 1 medial collateral ligament sprain with concomitant posterior thigh and hip muscle strains. Key impairments were limited left lower extremity motor performance, range of motion deficits, left hip pain, and diminished function and weight-bearing ability. Outcomes The athlete reintegrated into typical defensive back off-season training approximately four to five months post injury without restrictions, however presented with new anterior hip pain seven months post injury revealing occult sequelae requiring surgical intervention. He was able to return to full play the following football season. Discussion This case report describes the successful return to sport of a Division I football player who sustained a traumatic posterior hip dislocation and complicated course including surgical intervention secondary to associated sequelae.