Hip Dislocation

Definition

A hip dislocation is when the ball of the thigh bone moves out of place within the socket of the pelvic bone. This ball and socket form the hip joint.

The Hip Joint

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Causes

Hip dislocations are relatively rare and severe injuries. They are often associated with femur or pelvic fractures . A normal hip joint is stable and strong. A hip dislocation can only occur when a strong force is applied to the hip joint. This may occur due to:

• Severe falls, especially from heights
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports injuries, especially from football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding

Risk Factors

Factors that can increase your chance of developing this condition include:

• Prior hip replacement surgery
• Abnormal hip joint
• Severe falls, especially from heights
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports injuries, especially from football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding
• Poor muscle control or weakness leading to falls
• High risk behaviors, such as excessive alcohol use

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the hip, especially when attempting to move the leg
• Pain that spreads to the legs, knees, and back
• Leg on the affected side appears shorter than the other leg
• Hip joint appears deformed
• Pain or numbness along the back of thighs if injury presses on the sciatic nerve
• Being unable to walk

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. An exam of your your hip and leg will be done.

Images may be taken of your bones. This can be done with:

• X-ray
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Treatment

Treatments include:

Closed Reduction

The thigh and leg will be manipulated. This is to try to put the ball of the femur back into the hip socket. You may be given medications to relax, such as:

• Pain medication
• Sedation
• Muscle relaxants
• General or spinal anesthesia

Open Reduction

In some cases, surgery is needed. Open reduction is often done if:

• Closed reduction is unsuccessful
• Bony fragments or soft tissue remain in the joint space
• The joint remains unstable
• The thigh or pelvic bones are also broken

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist will assess the injury. An exercise program will be created to help recovery and to strengthen the muscles.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing hip dislocation. Most come from car accidents or sports injuries. To reduce your risk, take the following steps:

• Wear your seat belt in the car.
• Obey speed limits and other traffic laws.
• Wear proper safety equipment for sports.
• Use safety precautions to prevent falls when working at heights.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Follow your doctor's directions to manage chronic conditions that involve the joints.