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Hip Dislocation

What is it and what are my treatment options?

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What is a Hip Dislocation?

A hip dislocation involves the head of the thighbone (femur) coming out of the socket of the hip joint. Most of the time, it takes a lot of force to move the hip out of place, and it is usually caused during a car accident, from a big fall, an injury from sports, or a workplace accident.

There are three types of hip dislocations:

  • Obturator – A dislocation of the lower hip caused by simultaneous abduction, hip flexion, and external rotation
  • Iliac and pubic – These dislocations are the worst type of dislocations because they happen at the same time as a hip extension, abduction, and external rotation

Hip dysplasia is a kind of hip dislocation that can happen during development and it may take much less force to dislocate your joint. People who have had a hip replacement are also more likely to have a hip dislocation when doing everyday things.

Hip Dislocation Symptoms

  • Acute pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Changes in the color or size of your hip joint
  • The leg can be turned in or out
  • You can’t move your leg
  • You can’t put any weight on your leg
  • Your hip or foot loses feeling
  • Hip can be seen as out of place

Hip Dislocation Treatment

If you have no other injuries, you will receive medication and your orthopedic doctor will manipulate the joint back into place, which is known as a reduction. This is one of the many options for nonsurgical treatment.

If nonsurgical methods do not work, surgical reduction may need to be done to help put the joint back into place. In severe cases, like a dislocation from trauma, fractures may be involved and sometimes a hip replacement may be necessary.

How to Prevent a Hip Dislocation

Hip dislocation is usually caused by an accident, so following common safety rules is the best way to avoid it. Always wear your seatbelt in the car, and if you play contact sports, make sure you have the right gear on. Also, be careful when using a ladder or equipment at work.

Hip Dislocation Recovery

People with a dislocated hip will need a lot of physical therapy. When recovering from a hip dislocation, it’s important to think about how long it will take for the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments to heal. If there were fractures, those need time to heal as well.

The orthopedic surgeon will give you advice for things like weight-bearing limits that might be in place after the hip is put back into place. It can take between 3 and 6 months to fully recover from a dislocated hip.

Dislocated Hip Care in South Carolina

In conclusion, when a patient has a dislocated hip, a thorough exam is needed. Our Hip Center Experts here at CONA are dedicated to treating patients with the most effective course of treatment available. To give the patient the best outcome, they need to be evaluated and treated quickly, and they also need to be aware of any possible complications.

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with A Hip Specialist

Make an appointment with a CONA specialist if you were involved in an accident or sustain an injury and experience hip dislocation symptoms. Delaying a diagnosis may make injury and associated symptoms worse.

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4 Convenient Locations

NORTH GROVE CAMPUS

1330 Boiling Springs Road
Suite 1600
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

DUNCAN OFFICE

115 Deacon Tiller Ct.
Duncan, SC 29334
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NEUROSURGERY OFFICE

1075 Boiling Springs Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Doctor Mina Office

2755 South Highway 14
Suite 2350
Greer, SC 29650
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.