Hip Dislocation following Minor Trauma in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder which is known to have associated skeletal manifestations. There are documented cases of hip dislocation in NF-1, although it is a rare occurrence. Previous cases have been associated with intra-articular neurofibromas, acetabular protrusio and femoral deformities such as coxa valga and in one case increased femoral offset.

The authors review the literature on pelvic manifestations and report a case of hip dislocation in a 19-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis-one following minor trauma believed to be secondary to markedly increased femoral offset.

This case illustrates the effect the NF-1 can have on the anatomy of the proximal femur and one of the complications that can present to the orthopaedic surgeon, without the presence on an intra-articular neurofibroma. In a review of the literature the authors found only two other cases of hip dislocation associated with NF-1 that occurred without the presence of an intra-articular neurofibroma.