The hip is a ball-and-socket joint and is extremely stable. It takes great force and trauma to push the head of the femur---the ball---from the pelvic socket. This is a serious injury that causes great pain and will take surgery to correct. Contact emergency services immediately if you suspect someone has a hip dislocation.
Features
During an open reduction, the patient is put under general anesthesia, and the surgeon surgically repairs the fracture and the dislocated hip. The surgery will require time in the recovery room after the surgery as well as time in the hospital to recover.
Complications
As with any surgery, complications of hip dislocation surgery include infection at the incision site, pain, blood clots and respiratory problems due to surgery (pneumonia). Time will be needed to see if the hip joint sustained any further complication from the dislocation---such as impaired blood flow to the head of the femur, which leads to necrosis (death of the tissue) of the bone tissue.
Significance
If there is a fracture with the dislocated hip, then the open reduction is the only viable treatment option. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that the surgeon will need to do a set of X-rays or a CT scan to confirm that the bones are in the correct position.
Recovery
Recovery from an open reduction of a hip dislocation can take from two to six months. The rehabilitation time will depend on the extent of the fracture and the general health and well-being of the individual. Physical therapy is a typical part of the rehabilitation plan. It is important that all restrictions and limitations are adhered to in order to provide the patient with optimal recovery.
Types
An open reduction is considered the only surgical option when replacing a dislocated hip with fracture. If there is not a fracture, a closed reduction can usually be done. A closed reduction is also done under anesthesia but will not require an incision. With a closed reduction, the physician will manually manipulate the hip into its correct position.
