Anterior hip dislocation in conjunction with a stroke: a diagnosis not to miss.

Anterior dislocation of the native hip joint is an uncommon presentation accounting for around 15% of all hip dislocations. It is usually the result of a high-energy impact in circumstances such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a significant height. A delay in relocation of more than 6 h has been associated with a high risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We report the case of a 75-year-old man who suffered an anterior dislocation of his native hip following a fall from a standing height, associated with an acute cerebrovascular stroke. There was significant delay in the recognition of the dislocation due to the coexistent signs of the stroke. This case illustrates that hip dislocation can occur following a low-energy mechanism of injury with the possibility of serious long-term consequences if it is not promptly recognised and treated.