(2) Anterior dislocations occur when a hip is flexed with the leg abducted
and externally rotated. These injuries are more common in sports such as basketball
and gymnastics where players are running at high speeds, jumping, and landing
awkwardly with the knees flexed. These could be common causes of injury on the
battlefield as well. This force drives the femoral head out of the acetabulum, tearing
ligaments, and often fracturing the femoral head and/or acetabulum. (see figure 4-3).
Figure 4-3. Anterior dislocation of the hip.
MD0533
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