How do I know if I have a dislocated hip?
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There are certain features in hip dislocation or dislocation that are particular and help identify the injury. For example, severe pain and immobility of the affected leg is an indicator of this injury.
Hip dislocation usually occurs in falls that impact the leg, sports injuries, or car accidents. When dealing with these traumas, it is important for the orthopedic professional to rule out possible fractures and visualize the dislocation through imaging tests.
It should be noted that this injury is possible because the tendons and muscles of the hip are not strong enough and/or are stretched excessively, at the time of the injury they cannot stabilize the femur within the pelvis allowing it to leave its natural location.
What are the obvious signs of a hip dislocation?
- Crepitus or loud sound in the joint area at the time of injury.
- Severe pain.
- Difficulty moving the leg, in some cases inability to move the ankle or toes.
- Inability to stand with weight on the affected side of the hip.
- Visible signs of hip instability.
Visible signs of hip dislocation.
This injury occurs because the head of the femur comes out of the acetabulum, this causes a visible deformity in the position of the patient’s leg. After trauma, it can be easy to identify with the naked eye. Some cases are that one leg seems shorter than the other. In other cases, the rotation of the leg looks abnormal.
What are the risky activities for the hip?
Sports that require extreme hip mobility such as gymnastics, acrobatics, ballet are activities that increase the risk of hip dislocation with sudden movements or overexertion.
High-impact sports activities such as American football, rugby, jumping, etc.
There are patients with congenital and/or genetic conditions that predispose them to this injury. Some people are born with hip conditions such as strained muscles and even a wider morphology of the acetabulum, which allows the femur bone to exit the socket easily.
Why is an orthopedic doctor required to treat a dislocated hip?
The intervention of a specialist in the area of traumatology is important because when the dislocation or dislocation occurs, the head of the femur can cause damage to the pelvic bone and the acetabulum.
This depends on the strength of the impact and the medical history of each patient, i.e., a patient with arthritis has a higher risk of severe joint damage than a young, healthy patient.
When returning the femur to its place, a specific technique is also required and the patient is provided with analgesics so that they can cope with this treatment. Subsequently, the specialist must review the condition of the joint, verify that there are no fractures or major injuries in the joint.
In the event that there are injuries or fractures, the orthopedic doctor will recommend the best treatment option for the patient, usually surgery, which can be hip reconstruction or total replacement.
The important thing about having an orthopedic doctor is that they will do everything possible to help you regain the mobility of your joint and relieve pain.
What to do if you dislocate your hip?
Ideally, you should stay calm and ask for help as soon as possible. Go to a specialist doctor who will be in charge of finding the most appropriate solution.
The pain can be excruciating and so can the despair, even so you should wait for a professional so as not to worsen the patient’s condition, a bad movement can cause more damage to the joint.
Avoid putting weight on the injured leg, avoid moving the joint or leg to seek relief if it is not at the hand of a professional.
After the attention of an expert, your joint will recover, you will only have to wait and keep the rest indicated by the specialist in which you will surely have to avoid supporting the affected leg and practicing sports for a defined time.
