Hip subluxation occurs when the ball of the hip joint is only partly in its socket. In other words, when there is a partial dislocation. Symptoms of a hip subluxation include pain while walking, limping and general pain in the hip area. Sometimes there may be a discrepancy in leg length due to the dislocation. Although hip dislocation can occur during sporting activity it is more likely to happen during a trauma such as a car accident.

In general, a hip subluxation is caused by a large force hitting the hip. This can happen during an accident or during high impact sports such as rugby. It’s essential for a dislocated hip to be correctly diagnosed quickly as it can cause problems in later life if not treated. A dislocated hip is a painful problem and often requires immediate treatment.

Diagnosis of a hip subluxation is usually through an X-ray or CT scan. This will often show the partial dislocation. It can be difficult to distinguish the injury from other hip problems without some sort of diagnostic scan as there are a large number of things that can cause hip pain.

Treatment of a hip subluxation depends on the severity of the injury as well as the type of dislocation. The most important thing is to get the hip back into place then start with conservative treatment. This involves resting the injured joint and using ice to control the inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medicine is also commonly used. Performing weight bearing activities on the joint before it has properly healed can place the patient at risk of causing further damage.

In some cases, surgery may be required for a dislocated hip. For example, if there is a large amount of damage to the surrounding tissue or if fragments of bone are present then the hip may not be able to return to its original position naturally. Surgery is avoided if possible in most cases.

Recovering from a partial dislocation of the hip can be a long process. Many people find that it takes four to six months for a complete recovery and only if the correct treatment protocol has been followed. Physical therapy will be recommended from a trained therapist that involves gentle range of motion exercises, strengthening and stretching in order to improve the function of the joint. It’s important that these exercises are built up slowly over time, however, otherwise more damage can occur.