Hip dislocation occurs when the ball of your hip joint (head of the femur) pops out of the socket (acetabulum) and can be extremely painful, which needs attention and helpful exercises. This can be caused by a fall, a car accident, or trauma to the hip. This is an extremely painful injury because the ligaments, labrum, muscles, and other soft tissues holding the bones in place are damaged, and injuries to the nerves can happen as well. You may also be unable to move your leg and lose sensation in your foot or ankle area.
A dislocated hip can be guided back into place either by manually using the hand or repaired through surgery. But rehabilitation through Physical Therapy is essential to speed up the healing process and decrease the increased risk of recurrence of dislocation.
Anatomy
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that consists of the acetabulum and the head of the femur. The acetabulum is a cup-shaped bone where the head of the ball-shaped femur is usually fitted. The capsule and the surrounding muscles and ligaments provide the stability of the hip joint and ensure it moves in all its planes without excessive motion.
Signs and Symptoms
A dislocated hip can be observed from the outside. One noticeable sign of hip dislocation is that your leg is rotated inward or outward. The most common posterior hip dislocation forces your hip joint backward from its socket. This will leave your knee and foot pointed inward. While the anterior hip dislocation is where your hip joint is pushed forward, leaving your knee and foot pointed outward. Your affected hip may also appear shorter or longer. You may also notice discoloration of your hips. Symptoms of hip dislocation include acute pain, muscle spasm, swelling and inflammation, loss of sensation in your hip or foot, and others.
Diagnosis
Usually, doctors can quickly identify hip dislocation just by ocular inspection. In addition, they may also perform a full physical examination to confirm it and check for other injuries. This includes imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for this depends on the location and severity of the injury. However, it may include reduction, immobilization, surgery, and rehabilitation. Reduction refers to putting your joint back into its position with manipulation done by a doctor. It is followed by immobilization using a splint or sling for several weeks. If the hip joint cannot be placed back into position or if there is damage to blood vessels, nerves, ligaments, or muscles, surgery is recommended. Lastly, After removing the splint or sling, physical rehabilitation programs will be done to restore the joint’s strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Rehabilitation Hip Dislocation Exercises
After the surgery, rehabilitation exercises are recommended. Progression of rehabilitation following a surgical hip dislocation should be based on the patient’s healing status and others. With clearance from your doctor, here are several specific hip dislocation exercises you can do after surgery.
Remember to do this in a pain-free range and gently to avoid re-injury and re-occurrence of your hip dislocation. If you feel pain or discomfort while doing these hip dislocation exercises, you should stop immediately and rest.
Bed Hip Dislocation Exercises
1. Hip/Knee Flexion
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended.
- Slide your foot on the bed so that your hip and knee are flexed within a pain-free range. Make sure your foot will not rise off the floor.
- Then slide back down to the starting position.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite leg.
2. Hip Abduction/Adduction
- Lie on your back with your arms and legs extended.
- Bring your affected leg out within a pain-free range of motion, then put it back in the middle.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite leg.
3. Hip Bridging
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Lift your buttocks off the bed until your shoulders, hips, and knees are aligned. Engage your glutes.
- Complete this hip dislocation exercise for 10 repetitions, 1 set.
Chair Hip Dislocation Exercises
1. Heel and Toe Taps
- Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- Raise your heels off the floor so that you’re on your toes, then raise your toes off the floor so that you’re on your heels.
- Keep alternating between these two movements.
- Complete 10 repetitions on each side, 1 set.
2. Knee Flexion/Extension
- Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- Straighten your knee on your affected leg in front of you until it is aligned with your hip, then put it back down.
- Complete 10 repetitions on each side, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite knee.
Standing Hip Exercises
1. Standing Heel Raises
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart. You can also hold onto a table or chair for support.
- Raise your heels off the floor and raise your body so you’re standing on your toes.
- Then put it back down on the floor.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
2. Standing Hip Flexion
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart. You can also hold onto a table or chair for support.
- Lift your knee on your affected leg towards your chest, then put it back down to the starting position.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
3. Standing Hip Abduction Exercise
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart. You can also hold onto a table or chair for support.
- Raise your affected leg out on the side, then return it to the starting position.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
4. Standing Hip Extension
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart. You can also hold onto a table or chair for support.
- Place your affected leg behind you with your knee extended as far as possible but still within a pain-free range of motion, then return it to the starting position.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
5. Squat Hip Exercise
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart. You can also hold onto a table or chair for support.
- Bend your knees, put your buttocks back, and go down into a squat position, then return to the starting position.
- Complete 10 repetitions, 1 set.
Takeaway
Hip dislocation is a critical health emergency and must be attended to prevent any additional complications immediately. The joint can suffer even more damage if the dislocation is not dealt with immediately. Therefore, it is essential to get prompt medical attention and take the appropriate steps for treatment.
