A hip dislocation occurs when the head of the femur, the ‘ball’ of the joint, completely separates from the acetabulum, the ‘socket’ of the pelvis. This severe injury represents a true orthopedic emergency and requires a significant force, such as from a car accident or a fall from a height. The immediate answer to whether a person can still walk is no; attempting to bear weight on the affected leg is impossible. Immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent serious long-term complications.
Why Walking is Not Possible
Walking is impossible after a hip dislocation because the integrity of the ball-and-socket joint is lost. This loss of alignment means the hip can no longer serve as a stable weight-bearing pillar for the body. Intense muscular spasms occur as surrounding tissues react to the displacement, locking the hip into an abnormal, fixed position.
The injury often results in tearing of the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments, which normally provide stability. When the femoral head is forced out, the large muscles of the hip and thigh are stretched, preventing any voluntary movement or weight transfer. The displaced femoral head can also compress or damage nearby neurovascular structures, including the sciatic nerve, which may cause numbness or weakness in the leg.
Identifying the Specific Symptoms
A dislocated hip presents with visual signs and severe symptoms. The individual experiences immediate, disabling pain in the hip or groin area, making the slightest movement unbearable. This pain prohibits any effort to stand up or put weight on the injured leg.
The leg’s fixed, unnatural position and visible deformity are key indicators. In the majority of cases (posterior dislocations), the leg appears shorter and is rotated inward (internally rotated), with the knee pointing toward the opposite leg. Swelling and bruising may appear rapidly around the hip joint due to soft tissue damage.
Immediate Necessary Medical Actions
A hip dislocation is a medical emergency that demands immediate action to minimize the risk of permanent damage. Emergency services must be called immediately to arrange transport to a hospital. No one should attempt to move the person or manipulate the injured leg, as this could worsen damage to blood vessels or nerves.
The primary medical concern is the disruption of blood flow to the head of the femur, which can lead to avascular necrosis (AVN). If the blood supply is cut off, the bone tissue can die, potentially leading to the collapse of the femoral head. Therefore, the hip must be reduced as quickly as possible, ideally within six to eight hours of the injury. This procedure, known as a closed reduction, is typically performed in the emergency department under heavy sedation or general anesthesia to relax the powerful hip muscles.
Regaining Mobility After Treatment
Once the hip has been reduced and confirmed stable with imaging, recovery begins with a protected phase. The initial period involves a non-weight-bearing restriction, requiring the patient to use crutches or a walker to avoid putting force on the joint. This phase typically lasts for several weeks, depending on the extent of soft tissue damage or associated fractures.
Physical therapy (PT) focuses initially on gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and reduce swelling. As healing progresses, the PT program shifts to strengthening the muscles surrounding the hip, such as the gluteal and thigh muscles, to restore stability and function. The overall recovery timeline for returning to normal walking and daily activities ranges from two to three months, or longer if secondary complications occurred.