Surgical Repair of Bilateral Hip Dislocations
Auto accidents are actually much more common and far more serious than most people understand. Based on a few of the statistics that were recently published by AAA:
- In general, teenage drivers have much higher rates of motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities than those who are middle-aged.
- Middle-aged drivers have lower rates of accidents, injuries, and fatalities until they reach the age of 70 when rates start to climb again.
- The accidents’ rates, when adjusted for the number of miles driven, mirror this pattern.
- By far, the highest rates of death occur in people who are involved in motor vehicle accidents after the age of 80.
It is essential to take a look at a few of the specific injuries that people might suffer if they are involved in a severe motor vehicle collision. Like the accidents themselves, the severity of these accidents spans a spectrum. Some of the most serious injuries are hip dislocations.
Mechanism of a Hip Dislocation
A hip dislocation is a common injury seen in auto accidents. The hip is a delicate joint the brings the femur and the pelvis together. The head of the femur is the “ball” that slides into the acetabulum, which is the “socket.” This ball and socket joint provides a large degree of freedom which is required for someone to ambulate properly. Unfortunately, this freedom also means that the joint is prone to dislocating in a traumatic accident. In a car accident:
- People often extend their legs in front of them to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.
- During this motion, they often lock their knees.
- The force from the impact is transmitted into the feet and up the legs.
- This force also knocks the head of the femur out of the back of the hip socket, leading to dislocation.
This is a serious injury and requires an immediate trip to a hospital. The hip needs to be relocated as quickly as possible.
Surgical Repair of a Dislocated Hip Might be Necessary
In some cases, the hip can be placed back in the proper alignment without surgery; however, if both hips are dislocated, surgery is often needed. There is a thin film of tissue that usually covers the femur and helps to keep it in place inside of the hip socket. In a serious accident, this film is often torn. This means that even if the hip is placed back in the socket, it might dislocate again. Therefore, many bilateral hip dislocations require surgical repair. Other reasons why someone might need surgery to reduce a hip dislocation include:
- There are other associated injuries, such as displaced bone fractures.
- Nerve damage is present.
- The arteries and veins that supply oxygen and nutrients to the leg are torn.
During this surgical procedure, the heads of the femurs will be placed back into the hip sockets. Then, extra measures will be taken to reinforce the joints to prevent this from happening again. Finally, if there are other associated injuries, these will be repaired as well. After this, the recovery process can start.
Recovering from a Bilateral Hip Dislocation
The recovery process following this severe injury is not easy. Often, there are associated injuries that might necessitate casting of the leg. During this time, people cannot use their leg. As a result, the muscles in the leg often weaken, meaning that physical therapy is necessary. Furthermore, once a joint has been dislocated, it is at greater risk of dislocating a second time. Therefore, following the reduction of hip dislocation, extra care must be taken to ensure that the dislocation does not repeat itself. The more often a joint is dislocated, the more chances there are that a serious complication might occur.
Watch YouTube Video: 7 Rehabilitation Exercises for Hip Dislocation or Dislocated Hip. The animated video below provides seven exercises that you can do for a dislocated hip.
Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
If a loved one requires a surgical procedure to repair injuries that were sustained in a car accident, this is a challenging situation. Families might be confused, struggling to process the information, and might be wondering where they can turn for help. In this situation, it is a good idea to meet with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. A trained attorney can help by:
- Acting as a steady presence, assisting families to make objective decisions during a challenging time.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to make sure that families receive the maximum benefit allowed under their policy.
- Reviewing all of the details of the accident, making sure that nothing has been overlooked.
- Helping families pursue financial damages that are related to the accident.
A car accident injury lawyer in Sacramento can help you and your family through a difficult situation. You might be deserving of a financial reward.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident injury lawyer in Sacramento. Sometimes, a hip dislocation requires surgery. This comes with a number of different risks that should not be taken lightly. If you or someone you care for has been hurt in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Pixabay. The image has been reproduced here with permission
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