What is hip instability?
The hip plays an important role in supporting the upper body weight while standing, walking and running. The stability of the hip is crucial in order to perform these functions seamlessly and without pain. The ball at the top end of the femur or thigh bone and acetabulum (socket in pelvis) join to form the hip joint. The labrum, the cartilage rim that seals the hip joint, and the surrounding ligaments that line the hip capsule maintain stability. When these structures are injured or damaged, a condition called hip instability can occur. Hip instability is the diagnosis for when the hip joint becomes unstable, causing various symptoms. Dr. Austin Chen, hip specialist serving greater Boulder, Colorado, is available to both diagnose and treat hip instability.
What are the causes of hip instability?
Hip instability can be classified as traumatic or chronic in nature.
Traumatic instability ranges from severe dislocation to subtle hip subluxation (hip joint sliding out of place, but immediately re-establishing correct anatomical positioning). Traumatic instability most often occurs from motor vehicle accidents and extreme athletic events. These injuries often cause damage to the femoral head, labrum, and cartilage. They may even fracture bone, compromising the hip joint, which may lead to the formation of “loose bodies” in the joint – akin to having a pebble in your shoe.
Chronic instability may arise from congenital or developmental variants, as well as overuse of the hip joint. Conditions that can cause hip instability include:
- Labral and ligament tears
- Hip dysplasia (shallow hip sockets – the same condition that can be seen in many dog breeds and/or misaligned hip joints)
- Femoroacetabular impingement (abnormally-shaped hip joint bones)
- Tears to the ligamentum teres
What are the symptoms of hip instability?
The most common symptoms of hip instability include:
- Pain in the hip – the most common
- Feeling of laxity or looseness in the hip
- Giving away of the hip
- Movement of the hip producing a clicking sound
- Dislocation of the hip joint
What is the treatment for hip instability?
To begin, a conservative/non-operative treatment approach will be recommended. This could include protected weight bearing (crutch, cane or wheelchair) and physical therapy. When conservative options fail to resolve your symptoms or if you have large fractures, Dr. Chen may recommend surgical treatment.
