The ball of the upper femur fits perfectly into the socket of the acetabulum to create the ball-and-socket hip joint. Ligaments, cartilage and tendons all work together to hold the joint in place while allowing a wide range of motion. Hip dislocation occurs when the femur head slips or is forced out of the pelvic socket. At Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement LA, our hip specialist and orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Farzin Kabaei, provides hip dislocation treatment at our clinic in Los Angeles.

Causes and Types of Hip Dislocations

While some joints can be dislocated with very little force due to other instability in the configuration of the joint, this is not usually the case with hip dislocations. For the large femur, or thighbone, to slip out of the acetabulum, or pelvic socket, excessive force is usually involved. A vehicle accident or a fall from height can create enough force to push the femur out of the hip socket.

There are two types of hip dislocations – anterior or posterior. Anterior hip dislocations involve the femur jutting forward and out of the hip socket. Posterior hip dislocations occur when the thighbone is forced backward and out of the acetabulum. Posterior hip dislocations are the most common, accounting for about 90% of these injuries.

When a hip dislocation occurs, it is very painful and will require medical treatment. The leg will be turned inward (posterior dislocation) or outward (anterior) and it will be mostly immobile until a reduction is performed.

Hip dislocation treatment starts with reduction, or placing the femur back into the acetabulum. This can usually be performed manually, but in severe cases, it may require surgery. The long-term treatment depends on the extent of the injury to the bones, cartilage, nerves and soft tissues in the hip joint.

If you suffer a hip dislocation, you should consult a hip specialist to determine the best treatment for recovery. Contact us at Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement LA if you need hip dislocation treatment. Call our orthopedic medical center in Beverly Hills to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kabaei.