Traumatic hip dislocation is not very common, but it is a serious situation that requires urgent medical attention because it causes severe pain and makes movement impossible. It is not recommended to try to put the leg back in place and the sooner the person is seen by a health professional, the better.
The dislocation can happen when the person falls, during a soccer game, is run over or suffers an automobile accident, for example. The most common dislocation is when the head of the femur moves backwards, which can lead to fractures of the acetabulum, head of the femur and compression of the sciatic nerve.
If you want to know about congenital hip dislocation read here.
Symptoms of hip dislocation
The main symptoms of a hip dislocation are:
- Intense pain in the hip that prevents the person from making any movement with the leg; One leg may be shorter than the other, with the knee and foot turned inwards or outwards.
In case of suspicion, an ambulance should be called by calling SAMU 192 or the fire department by calling 911 if incarceration occurs. The person must be transported lying on a stretcher because he cannot support the weight on his leg and also cannot sit.
While the ambulance does not arrive, if possible, an ice pack can be placed directly on the hip so that the cold can numb the area, reducing the pain.
Here's what to do when a hip dislocation occurs.
Treatment for hip dislocation
The treatment is usually done with surgery to reposition the leg bone in the groove in the hip bone because this is a change that causes so much pain that it is not advisable to try the procedure with the person awake.
The procedure to fit the leg bone in the hip must be done by the orthopedist and the possibility to move the leg in all directions freely indicates that the fit was perfect but it is always important to perform another X-ray or CT scan that may indicate that the bones are properly positioned.
If there is any change such as a bone fragment within the joint, the doctor may perform an arthroscopy to remove it, requiring you to stay in the hospital for about 1 week. In the postoperative period, the orthopedist may indicate the use of crutches so that the person does not place the weight of the body directly on this newly operated joint so that the tissues can heal as soon as possible.
Physiotherapy for hip dislocation
Physiotherapy is indicated from the first postoperative day and initially consists of performing movements performed by the physiotherapist to maintain leg mobility, avoiding scar adhesions and favoring the production of synovial fluid, which is essential for the movement of this joint. Stretching exercises are also indicated as well as isometric contraction of the muscles, where there is no need for movement.
When the orthopedist indicates that it is no longer necessary to use crutches, physical therapy can be intensified taking into account the limitations that the person has.
