Jump to
How can you care for a dislocated hip?
- If the doctor gave you a sedative:
- For 24 hours, don't do anything that requires attention to detail. This includes going to work, making important decisions, or signing any legal documents. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.
- For your safety, do not drive or operate any machinery that could be dangerous. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.
- Your doctor will give you safety precautions to keep your hip centered in its socket during the healing period. Be sure to follow these precautions.
- Keep your knees and toes pointed forward when you sit in a chair, walk, or stand.
- Do not sit with your legs crossed.
- Do not bend at the waist more than 90º. Be careful when leaning or when moving in bed to keep your legs as straight ahead as possible.
- If you have a hip brace, wear it as directed. Do not remove it unless your doctor says you can. If you remove the brace to shower, be extremely careful. Follow hip precautions to limit hip movement.
- Rest your hip as much as you can. You will need to change your activities to avoid movements that irritate the hip.
- If your hip is swollen, put ice or a cold pack on it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
- Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If your doctor recommends exercises, do them as directed.
Dislocated hip from trauma in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has trouble breathing. Symptoms may include:
- Using the belly muscles to breathe.
- The chest sinking in or the nostrils flaring when your child struggles to breathe.
- Your child is very sleepy and you have trouble waking them.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse nausea or vomiting.
- Your child has new or worse pain.
- Your child's foot is cool or pale or changes color.
- Your child has tingling, weakness, or numbness in a foot or the toes.
- Your child has signs of a blood clot in a leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness or swelling in a leg.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child does not get better as expected.
©2011-2025 Healthwise, Incorporated
The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.