The Surgical Challenges of Intertrochanteric Hip Fracture in a Patient with Polio Dysplastic Hip and Previous Distal Femur Fracture: A Case Report

Abstract

Poliomyelitis is on the verge of eradication since the introduction of the vaccine in 1950. In developed countries, those afflicted with the disease are primarily in their sixth decade and beyond, usually with disabling complications. Due to the diminished muscle power coupled with the abnormal bony anatomy and joint contractures, patients with polio present unique surgical challenges when they sustain fragility fractures. We report an uncommon case of intertrochanteric hip fracture in a limb affected with polio and hip dysplasia, on a background of ipsilateral distal femur fracture with previous surgical fixation. We aim to outline the challenges encountered during the surgery and the pre- operative planning to overcome these shortcomings.

Keywords

• poliomyelitis
• hip fracture
• dysplastic hip
• cephalomedullary nail