Phoenix Traffic Accident Hip Dislocation Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Information about Injuries and Hip Dislocation
Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of hip dislocations. As Arizona personal injury specialists, the Husband and Wife Law Team are available for a free consultation regarding your car accident as a result of someone else's negligence.
A hip dislocation occurs when the head of the thighbone (femur) slips out of its socket in the hip bone (pelvis). In approximately 90% of patients the thighbone is pushed out of the socket in a backwards direction. This leaves the hip in a fixed position, bent and twisted in toward the middle of the body. A hip dislocation is very painful and patients are unable to move the leg. If there is nerve damage the patient may not have any feeling in the foot or ankle area.
A hip dislocation is an orthopaedic emergency. Call for help immediately. Do not try to move the injured person, but keep him or her warm with blankets. Usually a physician can diagnose a hip dislocation simply by looking at the position of the leg. X-rays will show whether there are any additional fractures in the hip or thighbone.
If the patient has no other complications, the physician will administer an anesthetic or sedative and manipulate the bones back into their proper position. This process is called reduction. In some cases the reduction must be done in the operating room with anesthesia. A formal procedure with an incision may be required to fix the hip. Following treatment, the surgeon will request another set of X-rays and possible a computer tomography (CT) scan to make sure that the bones are in the proper position.
It takes time for a hip dislocation to heal, sometimes 2 to 3 months. The rehabilitation time may be longer depending on the age of the patient, severity of dislocation, and if other injuries were sustained. An orthopaedic surgeon may recommend traction for a short period of time, followed by controlled exercises using a continuous passive motion machine. Patients can probably begin walking with crutches when free of pain. A walking aid such as a cane should be used until the limp disappears.
A hip dislocation can have long-term consequences, particularly if there are associated fractures. As the thighbone is pushed out of its socket, it can disrupt blood vessels and nerves. When blood supply to the bone is lost, the bone can die. The protective cartilage covering the bone may also be damaged, which increases the risk of developing arthritis in the joint.
