Hip Dislocation

Appointments and referrals

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A hip dislocation is a very serious injury and should be treated as an emergency, especially in children and teens because their bones are still growing. The pediatric orthopedic team at Cook Children's is uniquely trained in the diagnosis and treatment of bone, joint and musculoskeletal injuries.

A hip dislocation is a medical emergency. Call for help immediately. Do not try to move the injured child. If possible, keep them warm with blankets.

A hip dislocation is when the ball of the thigh bone moves out of place within the socket of the pelvic bone. This ball and socket form the hip joint.

hip-socket-main — Illustration of hip socket.

Hip dislocations are relatively rare and severe injuries. They are often associated with femur or pelvic fractures. A normal hip joint is stable and strong. A hip dislocation can only occur when a strong force is applied to the hip joint. This may occur due to:

Severe falls, especially from heights
Motor vehicle accidents
Sports injuries, especially from football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding
Hip joint abnormalities
Poor muscle control, muscle weakness, or other conditions that put the child at risk of falls

Symptoms of a dislocated hip include:

Severe pain in the hip, especially when attempting to move the leg
Pain that spreads to the legs, knees, and back
Leg on the affected side appears shorter than the other leg
Hip joint appears deformed
Pain or numbness along the back of thighs if injury presses on the sciatic nerve
Being unable to walk

You and your child will be asked about what symptoms are being experienced and how the injury occurred. An exam of your child’s hip and leg will be done.

Images may be taken of your child’s bones. This can be done with:

Depending on the injury, treatment may include:

Reduction Procedures

If there are no other injuries, the doctor will administer an anesthetic or a sedative and manipulate the bones back into their proper position. This is called a closed reduction.

In some cases, surgery is needed. This is called an open reduction and is often done if:

Closed reduction is unsuccessful
Bony fragments or soft tissue remain in the joint space
The joint remains unstable
The thigh or pelvic bones are also broken

Physical therapy

A physical therapist will assess the injury. An exercise program will be created to help recovery and to strengthen the muscles.

We're here to help.

If you'd like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak with us, please call our main office at 682-885-4405. You can also reach out to one of our clinic locations.

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Hip Dislocation

What is a hip dislocation?

What causes hip dislocation?

What are the symptoms of hip dislocation?

How is a hip dislocation diagnosed?

How is a hip dislocation treated?

Reduction Procedures

Physical therapy

We're here to help.

Ask a librarian