Overview

A dislocated hip is a serious condition where the ball of the thigh bone moves out of its actual position in the hip socket. This injury causes severe pain, makes moving the hip very hard, and changes the leg's appearance. Getting help quickly is very important to avoid more harm to the hip joint. The usual way to fix this issue involves a doctor moving the hip back into place, a process called reduction, sometimes needing anaesthesia. In a few cases, an operation might be required to mend damaged tissues or to stop the hip from dislocating again. After treatment, getting back to normal includes a lot of physical therapy to build back strength and movement in the hip. This recovery time can last many months. Starting treatment early and following a detailed plan for getting it are key to a good result.

Effects and Consequences Of Hip Dislocation

When a hip dislocates, the person will feel a lot of pain and cannot move their hip properly. The area might look wrong or out of place and could swell up or turn blue because of bruising. These symptoms show that something serious has happened, and medical help is needed immediately. A dislocated hip can lead to long-term problems such as trouble walking or even more dislocations if not treated. The type of dislocation depends on how the thigh bone moves out of the hip socket. It could go forward, backwards, or even to the side, and each kind has its causes and ways it affects the body.

Hip dislocation

Different Types of Hip Dislocations

Hip dislocations can happen in several ways, each with challenges and treatment needs.

Posterior and Anterior Hip Dislocation: Most of the time, when hips dislocate, the thigh bone moves backwards, called a posterior dislocation. It usually happens because of knees hitting hard against something when they are bent, such as in car crashes. An anterior dislocation, where the thigh bone moves forward, is less common and usually happens due to legs being forced back or out to the side.
Congenital and Traumatic Hip Dislocation: Babies can be born with dislocated hips, a condition known as congenital hip dislocation or developmental dysplasia of the hip. On the other hand, traumatic hip dislocations are usually the result of accidents or injuries, such as falls or sports injuries.

Developmental dysplasia in children characterised by high dislocation

Superior and Inferior Hip Dislocation: Rarely can the hip dislocate upwards (superior) or downwards (inferior), often due to strong forces during serious accidents. These types of dislocations are complex and can be harder to treat.
Lateral Hip Dislocation: A lateral dislocation, where the hip moves to the side, is uncommon and usually results from a side impact.

Factors Of Hip Dislocations

Several factors can lead to a dislocated hip. Accidents with a lot of force, such as car crashes or big falls, are common causes. Sometimes, hip dislocations can happen during operations on the hip joint. Babies can be born with hips that easily dislocate if their hip joints haven't formed correctly. Also, sudden strong muscle movements during seizures or spasms can dislocate a hip. Conditions that wear down the hip, such as arthritis, increase the risk, as do very rare complications during childbirth.

Spotting a Dislocated Hip

If someone has dislocated their hip, they will be in a lot of pain and won't be able to move the hip joint. The hip might look out of shape, and the leg on that side might seem shorter. There will likely be swelling and bruising, and the person might feel numb or tingly. It will be hard for them to put weight on that leg, and the hip might feel stiff.

Doctors use different methods to find out if someone has a dislocated hip. They will look at the hip and see how well the person can move it. They will also use X-rays and sometimes CT or MRI scans to examine the hip joint and check for any damage to the tissues around it.

Fixing a Dislocated Hip

There are several methods to repair a dislocated hip, depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's overall health. Here are some common approaches:

Closed Reduction - This non-surgical technique involves manually manipulating the hip joint back into its proper position under sedation or anaesthesia. It's often performed in the emergency room.
Open Reduction - In cases where closed reduction is unsuccessful, or the hip joint is severely damaged, surgery may be necessary. During open reduction, the surgeon makes an incision to access the hip joint and reposition the bones directly.
Internal Fixation - Once the hip joint is back in place, internal fixation may be performed to stabilise the joint. This involves using screws, plates, or rods to hold the bones in their correct alignment while they heal.
Rehabilitation - Following hip dislocation repair, rehabilitation is crucial to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Physical therapy exercises and stretches can help improve hip function and prevent future dislocations.
Joint Replacement - In cases of severe hip joint damage or instability, total hip replacement surgery may be necessary to replace the damaged joint with an artificial implant.
Arthroscopic Surgery - In some cases, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery may be performed to repair soft tissue damage or remove loose fragments from the hip joint.

Final Thoughts

Dislocated hips are serious injuries that need quick and proper treatment. Most people can recover from a hip dislocation with the right medical care and a good plan for getting better. It's important for everyone to know how to spot the signs of a dislocated hip and to get medical help right away if they think someone has one.

References:

https://www.physiotattva.com/blog/dislocated-hip-symptoms-treatment-and-recovery-guide
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22222-hip-dislocation