HIP DISLOCATION
If you’ve experienced a hip dislocation, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
A traumatic hip dislocation occurs when an event pushes the head of the femur bone out of the socket in the pelvis bone. It tends to take a large amount of force in order to dislocate the hip joint such as motor vehicle accidents and falls from large heights. Due to the large amounts of force involved, hip dislocations tend to go hand in hand with other injuries such as sprains and broken bones.
Hip dislocations herald a serious medical emergency. Physicians urge patients to seek immediate treatment from the necessary medical professionals..
During a hip dislocation, the femoral head of the femur pushes either backwards or forwards out of the hip socket.
- Posterior dislocation. With almost 90% of hip dislocations, the femur gets forced out of the socket backwards. Posterior hip dislocation leaves the lower leg in a static position, forcing the knee and foot to rotate inwards toward the centerline of the body.
- Anterior dislocation. When the femur pushes out of the socket in a forward direction, the hip only bends slightly, and the knee and foot will rotate outwards away from the centerline of the body.
When dislocating the hip joint, damage will also tend to affect the ligaments, labrum, muscles, and other tissues as well. In addition, hip dislocations can also damage the nerves around the hip.
What are the symptoms of a dislocation?
- Visibly deformed or out-of-place joint
- Numbness or tingling at the joint
- Swollen or discolored
- Limited mobility at the point of dislocation
- Intense pain
What causes a dislocation?
A dislocated joint occurs when the bones that form the joint are forced out of their normal position, often due to significant trauma. Common causes include falling, automobile accidents, and motorcycle accidents, where the impact can forcibly displace the joint. Additionally, high-contact sports such as football, soccer, and rugby can also lead to dislocations. In these sports, players frequently experience hard collisions with opponents or the ground, which can stress the joints beyond their normal range of motion.
The force of these impacts may cause the bones to move out of alignment, leading to a dislocation. Symptoms typically include severe pain, swelling, and visible deformity at the affected joint, as well as difficulty moving the joint. Immediate medical evaluation is crucial to properly realign the bones and prevent further damage, followed by a tailored treatment and rehabilitation plan to restore function and prevent future dislocations.
Dislocation usually involves the body’s larger joints. Dislocations most often occur in the shoulder in adults. In children, dislocations most often occur in. the elbow. Your thumb and fingers also are vulnerable if forcibly bent the wrong way.
If you have any questions for our DFW orthopedic specialists, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.
