May also be called: Dislocated Hip A dislocation is when the bones in a joint slip out of their normal position. A hip dislocation is an injury that happens when the ball of the thighbone moves out of the socket of the hipbone. More to Know The hip is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the thighbone (femur) and hipbone (pelvis). The ball-shaped head of the femur fits into a hollow in the pelvis and is held in place by ligaments and cartilage. This structure makes the hip very stable, but a lot of force applied to the leg can pop the head of the femur out of its socket, or dislocate it. Most hip dislocations are the result of motor vehicle accidents, but severe falls (such as from a ladder) or injuries due to sports like football, rugby, skiing, and snowboarding also can generate enough force to dislocate a hip. Some children are born with a congenital defect called developmental dysplasia of the hip that makes hips unstable and can cause them to become dislocated. In about 90% of dislocated hips, the thighbone is pushed backward, which causes the hip to bend and the leg to twist in toward the middle of the body. In other cases, the thighbone is pushed forward, which results in less bending of the hip and a leg that is twisted out away from the middle of the body. Hip dislocations usually cause severe pain in the hip that can spread to the legs and back, and they can make the affected leg appear deformed or shorter than the other leg. Treatment involves resetting the head of the thighbone in the socket of the hipbone. This can be done manually by a trained doctor or through a surgical operation. Keep in Mind Hip dislocations are relatively rare, but they are serious injuries that need immediate medical attention. With treatment, a dislocated hip should heal in 2 to 3 months. Any additional injuries — such as hip fractures — can make the hip take longer to heal completely. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More Hip Pointer Most hip pointer injuries can be easily treated and heal in their own time. Find out what to do in this article for teens. Read More Quadriceps Contusion Quadriceps contusions are common in sports that have a lot of direct contact or a chance of collisions or wipeouts. Find out what to do if you get one - and how to avoid them. Read More X-Ray Exam: Hip A hip X-ray can help find the cause of symptoms such as limping, pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity in the hip area. It can detect broken bones or a dislocated joint. Read More A to Z: Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease Learn about this rare hip disorder, which is most common in boys. Read More Dealing With Sports Injuries You practiced hard and made sure you wore protective gear, but you still got hurt. Read this article to find out how to take care of sports injuries - and how to avoid getting them. Read More Safety Tips: Football Football is a lot of fun, but since the name of the game is to hit somebody, injuries are common. To keep things as safe as possible, follow these tips. Read More Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) A good, stable connection at your hip joint is what lets you walk, run, make that jump shot, and shake it on the dance floor. But in some teens – particularly those who are obese – the hip joint is weakened by slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Read More Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a shift at the upper part of the thighbone, or femur, that results in a weakened hip joint. Fortunately, when caught early, most cases of SCFE can be treated successfully. Read More Safety Tips: Skiing Skiing is fun but also has some very real dangers. Make sure your kids follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes. Read More Safety Tips: Skiing There's a lot to love about skiing, but it can also present some very real dangers. Follow these tips to stay safe on the slopes. Read More Safety Tips: Snowboarding Snowboarding is a great way to have fun and get exercise, but it has some very real dangers. These safety tips can help keep your family safe on the slopes. Read More Safety Tips: Snowboarding Snowboarding is a great way to have fun, but it can also present some very real dangers. Follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes. Read More Winter Sports: Sledding, Skiing, Snowboarding, Skating You'll have more fun if you stay safe in the cold and snow. Find out how in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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