The thought alone of suffering a dislocated hip is probably enough to make you cringe. This is a serious injury that results in extreme pain and discomfort, at least until you receive treatment from a qualified medical professional.
A hip dislocation can be the result of many types of accidents, such as a slip-and-fall or motor vehicle crash. Regardless of the cause, you need to receive treatment and follow the orders of your medical team.
Unfortunately, even if you have the best doctors on your side, you could still suffer from complications such as:
- Nerve damage. When the thighbone is pushed from the socket, it has the potential to stretch and crush nerves in the area.
- Arthritis. This doesn’t typically set in right away, but can become a problem later in life. Depending on the severity, arthritis may lead to the suggestion of hip replacement surgery, which can again result in a long recovery period.
- Osteonecrosis. If blood supply to the thighbone is lost, it can result in osteonecrosis, which is the medical term for the death of a bone. Not only is this painful, but it can cause arthritis, among other conditions.
What is the recovery time?
If you suffer a hip dislocation, it goes without saying that you won’t be back on your feet the next day. You need to work closely with your doctor to ensure that you follow the exact steps toward making a full recovery.
In most cases, it takes two to three months to completely heal. At that point, you may also require rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, to ensure that you regain all your strength.
Although it can take several months to recover, you should be able to begin walking with crutches within a few days.
If you suffer a hip dislocation at work, such as the result of a slip-and-fall, you should call for immediate help. Also, make sure your boss and HR department are clear as to what went wrong, so there is no gray area in regard to the finer details of the accident.
If your doctor confirms that you are unable to return to work in the near future, learn more about filing a workers’ compensation claim. You can do this with the idea of receiving compensation until you’re able to return to your job, once again earning your salary.
