Hip Injury

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Injury to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament of the hip and upper thigh

Types of Injuries

• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations (bone out of joint)
• Sprains - Stretches and tears of ligaments
• Strains - Stretches and tears of muscles (pulled muscle)
• Contusion (bruise) - A direct blow or crushing injury resulting in bruising of the skin, muscle, and underlying bone

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• ANIMAL BITE to hip area
• BURNS of hip area
• PUNCTURE WOUND to hip area
• SKIN INJURY is main concern

FIRST AID Advice for Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the entire wound with a clean cloth.

FIRST AID Advice for Penetrating Object: If penetrating object still in place, don't remove it (Reason: removal could increase bleeding).

FIRST AID Advice for Shock: Lie down with feet elevated.

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR BRUISE, SPRAIN OR STRAIN

1. Treatment of Bruise (e.g., direct blow to hip area):
   • Apply a cold pack or an ice bag (wrapped in a towel) for 20 minutes each hour for 4 consecutive hours. (20 minutes of cold followed by 40 minutes of rest for 4 hours in a row).
   • 48 hours after the injury, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times each day to help reabsorb the blood.
   • Rest the injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.
2. Treatment of Sprains and Strains of Hip and Upper Thigh:
   • FIRST AID - Apply an ice pack (crushed ice in a plastic bag covered with a towel) to reduce bleeding, swelling, and pain.
   • REST the injured leg for 24 hours. You may return to normal activity after 24 hours of rest if the activity does not cause pain.
   • Continue to apply crushed ICE packs for 10-20 minutes every hour for the first 4 hours. Then apply ice for 10-20 minutes 4 times a day for the first two days.
   • Keep injured leg ELEVATED and at rest for 24 hours. Put your leg up on a pillow and stay off your feet as much as possible.
3. Pain Medicines:
   • For pain relief, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.
   • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol):
     • Take 650 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours. Each Regular Strength Tylenol pill has 325 mg of acetaminophen.
     • Another choice is to take 1,000 mg every 8 hours. Each Extra Strength Tylenol pill has 500 mg of acetaminophen.
     • The most you should take each day is 3,000 mg.

   • Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil):

     • Take 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours

     • Another choice is to take or 600 mg by mouth every 8 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Naproxen (e.g., Aleve)

     • Take 250-500 mg by mouth every 12 hours.

     • Use the lowest amount that makes your pain feel better.

   • Extra Notes

     • Acetaminophen is thought to be safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old. Acetaminophen is in many OTC and prescription medicines. It might be in more than one medicine that you are taking. You need to be careful and not take an overdose. An overdose can hurt the liver.

     • Before taking any medicine, read all the instructions on the package.

4. Expected Course: Pain and swelling usually begin to improve 2 or 3 days after an injury. Swelling is usually gone in 7 days. Pain may take 2 weeks to completely resolve.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Pain does not improve after 3 days
   • Pain or swelling lasts more than 2 weeks
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Bruise on Thigh (1 Day Old)

This bruise is one day old.

Bruises (contusions) result from a direct blow or a crushing injury; there is bleeding into the skin from damaged blood vessels without an overlying cut or abrasion.

X-Ray - Normal Hip

Anatomy - Hip

Source: LMS Inc.

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