Dislocated Hip: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery - Cleveland Clinic

What is hip dislocation?

Hip dislocation is a painful event in which the ball joint of your hip comes out of its socket. It usually occurs from a significant traumatic injury. (Artificial hip replacements are somewhat easier to dislocate.)

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A dislocated hip is a medical emergency. It causes acute pain and disables your leg until it’s corrected. It can also cause secondary injuries to the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, ligaments and tissues. Hip dislocation can cause long-term damage, especially if it’s not treated right away.

Hip dislocation can sometimes occur as a result of hip dysplasia, a developmental condition in which your hip joint doesn’t fit well in the socket. Hip dysplasia is also called “developmental dislocation of the hip” (DDH). People with hip dysplasia have shallow hip sockets, which don’t hold their joint in place as well as normal hips do. They may also have loose muscles and ligaments in their hip, so it takes less force to displace their joint than it would for most of us.

What is a partial dislocation of the hip (subluxation)?

A partial dislocation is known medically as a subluxation. It means that your ball joint has shifted partially out of its socket, but not all the way out. A subluxation can be mild or severe. It’s common in people with hip dysplasia and hip replacement.

Severe subluxation tends to be caused by injury. More severe cases may be nearly as painful and debilitating as a total dislocation, and may also need to be reset by a healthcare professional. Listen to your body and seek professional help if you’re in severe pain or unable to walk.

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A milder case may be caused by general wear and tear on your hip, when the cartilage that helps seal your joint in its socket has eroded. It may be chronic or recurring. If you have a mild subluxation, you might still be able to walk, and you might be able to pop it back into place yourself with gentle stretching.

Does my hip pain mean that my hip is dislocated?

The hip is normally one of the most secure joints in your body. Unless you have a prosthetic hip or hip dysplasia, it takes a lot to dislocate a hip joint. A dislocated hip is acutely painful and disabling and usually follows a significant injury. However, if you’ve had a minor injury, or if your hip has suffered a lot of wear and tear, you may have a subluxation. Notice if you feel your hip snapping in the socket when it moves, or if it’s hard to bear weight on your leg. Your healthcare provider can help you identify the cause of your hip pain and recommend the right therapy.