Safe Surgical Dislocation of Hip
Introduction and Definition: Safe surgical dislocation of the hip is a surgical technique that provides unhindered 360° visualization of the femoral head and acetabulum, enabling comprehensive intraarticular pathology management while reliably preserving the blood supply to the femoral head. Introduced and popularized by Ganz et al. in 2001, this approach became a landmark in hip preservation surgery by allowing full access to the hip joint with minimal risk of avascular necrosis (AVN).
This technique is predominantly indicated in young adults with complex hip pathology such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) deformities, sequelae of Perthes disease, femoral head fractures, intraarticular tumors, and other deformities requiring direct visualization and precise correction.
Relevant Anatomy and Biomechanics
Hip Joint Anatomy: The hip is a ball-and-socket synovial joint formed by the articulation of the spherical femoral head and the acetabulum of the pelvis. The acetabulum is lined by hyaline cartilage and has a fibrocartilaginous labrum that enhances joint stability and deepens the socket.
Vascular Anatomy: The most crucial consideration in safe surgical dislocation is preservation of the arterial supply to the femoral head. The primary blood supply derives from the medial femoral circumflex artery (MFCA), particularly…