Hip dislocation

Having a dislocated hip is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. A dislocated hip may be swollen, painful and visibly out of place. You may not be able to move your leg and may have numbness in the foot or ankle.

We treat you with compassion at Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic. Our experienced team will help reposition your bones and regain your mobility and strength.

How do hips get dislocated?

Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. They’re usually caused by a sudden impact to the joint from a blow, fall or auto accident.

The hip is a unique joint that is constructed like a ball and socket. The rounded top of the thigh bone (femur) fits into part of the pelvis, which forms the socket.

Symptoms of a dislocated hip

A dislocated joint may be:

• Accompanied by numbness or tingling at the joint or beyond it
• Painful, especially if you try to use the joint or put weight on it
• Limited in movement
• Swollen or bruised
• Visibly out of place, discolored or misshapen

Treatment for hip dislocation

Most dislocations can be treated in a doctor’s office or emergency department. You may be given medicine to make you sleepy and to numb the area. Sometimes, general anesthesia that puts you into a deep sleep is needed. If you also have broken bones, you may need surgery.

When treated early, most dislocations do not cause permanent injury.

What to expect when it comes to healing:

• Injuries to the surrounding tissues generally take six to 12 weeks to heal.
• Injuries to nerves and blood vessels may result in more long-term or permanent problems.

Once a hip has been dislocated, it’s more likely to happen again. After being treated in the emergency department, you should follow up with an orthopedic surgeon (a bone and joint doctor).

First aid for a dislocated hip

First aid steps to take for a possible hip dislocation:

• Call 911 before you begin helping someone who may have a hip dislocation, especially if the accident that caused the injury may be life-threatening.
• Don’t move the person if you think that their head, back or leg has been injured. Keep the person calm and still.
• If the skin is broken, take steps to prevent infection. Rinse the area gently with clean water to remove any dirt you can see. Cover the area with sterile dressings.
• Keep the person warm with blankets.
• Apply ice packs to ease pain and swelling, but don’t put ice directly on the skin. Wrap the ice in a clean cloth.