The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint. The head of the thighbone, or femur, is shaped like a ball so that it can fit into the opening of the pelvic bone, or acetabulum. This allows the hip joint to be able to move in many directions. A hip dislocation is diagnosed when the femur falls out of place. The pain and other symptoms can be severe. Avoiding accidents and falls is the only way to reduce the risk of a hip dislocation.
Car Accidents and Falls
Given the structure of the hip joint, it takes a lot of force to cause a hip dislocation, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Car accidents are the most common cause of this injury. Wearing a seat belt can help to reduce the risk.
A traumatic fall directly onto the hip can also cause a hip dislocation. Keeping the leg muscles strong and taking steps to reduce the risk of falls can help to prevent this injury.
A direct blow to the hip during sporting events is another situation where hip dislocations can occur. In most cases of hip dislocation, the person will be unable to move the leg and immediate medical attention will be required.
Developmental Dysplasia
Developmental dysplasia is a hip location that is present at birth. The hip can be slightly out of place or completely dislocated. The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital states that this condition may run in families, and is more common in first children, female children and during breech births. Conditions which hinder the baby's ability to move while in the womb may also contribute to this injury.
Total Hip Replacement
While rare, hip replacements can sometimes dislocate. According to the University of Washington, this only occurs in 1 to 10 percent of all hip replacement patients. Misplacement of the prosthesis during surgery, infections, and problems with the muscles and tissues around the new hip can all cause a replaced hip to dislocate. In some patients, this becomes a chronic problem and requires surgical intervention.
