Stewart and Milford developed a grading system to classify traumatic fracture-dislocations of the hip. This can help identify patients who may require more aggressive management and who are at greater risk for complications.
Constant finding: dislocation of the hip joint
Acetabulum |
Hip Socket |
Femur |
Grade |
no fracture |
stable after reduction |
intact |
I |
insignificant chip fracture(s) |
stable after reduction |
intact |
I |
one or more large rim fractures |
stable after reduction |
intact |
II |
blast fracture and disintegration |
unstable |
intact |
III |
NA |
NA |
fracture of head and/or neck |
IV |
where:
• The entire leg may be torn off (disarticulated) through the hip joint (I have seen this with a motorcycle accident). Would this be a Grade V or VI?
• A "blast fracture" may indicate a burst fracture.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Surgery, general
ICD-10: ,