Hip Dislocation

A serious hip injury in which adjoining bones in the hip are displaced so they no longer touch each other. Dislocations are frequently accompanied by bone fractures, torn ligaments and torn tendons. Temporary or permanent damage to bone or to the sciatic nerve makes immediate treatment necessary.

Some children are born with a hip problem called congenital hip dislocation (dysplasia). The condition is usually diagnosed as soon as a baby is born. Most of the time, it affects the left hip in first-born children, girls, and babies born in the breech position.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Femur (thigh bone) and pelvis.
• Strong ligaments that hold the hip in place.
• Sciatic nerve.
• Soft tissue surrounding the dislocated hip, including periosteum (covering to bone), other nerves, tendons, blood vessels and connective tissue.

Causes

• Direct or indirect blow to a flexed knee and hip.
• End result of a severe hip sprain.
• Congenital abnormality, such as shallow or malformed joint surfaces.

Signs & Symptoms

• Severe pain in the hip at the time of injury, and when trying to move hip.
• Loss of hip function.
• Visible deformity if the dislocated bones have locked in the dislocated position. The leg may appear shortened and turned in. Bones may spontaneously reposition themselves and leave no deformity, but damage is the same.
• Tenderness over the dislocation.
• Swelling and bruising at the injury site.
• Numbness or paralysis below the dislocation from pressure, pinching or cutting of blood vessels or nerves.

Treatment

Follow your doctor's instructions. Instructions are supplemental.

At home:

• Apply heat frequently. Use heat lamps, hot soaks,hot showers or heating pads.
• Take whirlpool treatments, if available.
• Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decrease swelling.

MEDICATION

Your doctor may prescribe:

• General anesthesia or muscle relaxants to make joint manipulation possible.
• Acetaminophen to relieve moderate pain.
• Narcotic pain relievers for severe pain.
• Stool softeners to prevent constipation due to decreased activity.
• Antibiotics to fight infection if surgery is required.

Home Diet

• Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to correct the dislocation. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting while under general anesthesia more hazardous.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

Prevention Tips

• Build your overall strength and muscle tone with a long-term conditioning program appropriate for your sport.
• Warm up adequately before physical activity.
• After healing, protect vulnerable joints with special hip pads.
• Consider avoiding contact sports if treatment is unsuccessful in restoring a strong, stable hip.