The hip joint is a type of ball and socket joint comprising the femur's head (or thighbone's head) as the "ball" and the acetabulum (a cup-shaped socket) as the "socket." The joint is supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help hold the joint's bones in place. When the head of the femur is displaced from the socket, a condition known as hip dislocation occurs. Hip dislocation can result from the femoral head moving either backward (posterior dislocation) or forward (anterior dislocation).
Hip dislocation can result from a variety of causes, including:
Hip dislocation can be present with various signs and symptoms, such as:
If you experience any of these symptoms, your doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and may order diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays to confirm the diagnosis.