Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hip dislocation
Introduction
A dislocated hip is a condition that can be congenital or acquired. Congenital hip dislocations are much more common in girls than in boys.
Posterior vs. anterior
Posterior vs. anterior
Nine out of ten hip dislocations are posterior. The affected limb will be shortened and internally rotated in this case.
In an anterior dislocation the limb will not be lengthened as noticeably and will be externally rotated.
Congenital vs. acquired
Congenital vs. acquired
Congenital hip dislocation must be detected early when it can be easily treated by a few weeks of traction. If it is not detected the child’s hip may develop incorrectly seen when the child begins to walk. If one hip is affected the child will be have a limp and lurch and with bilateral dislocation there will be a waddling gait.
Acquired hip dislocations can be extremely painful and commonly occur during car accidents. They may be treated by surgical realignment and traction.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]