Suggest Treatment For Subluxation Of Right Hip, Tightness, Tenderness And Weakness

Posted on Sun, 26 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 26 Jul 2015 Answered on

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : 67 ...male on vacation hike. Falls and sustains apparent subluxation of right hip yesterday. Rises with with momentary instability but, still able to walk 1/2 mile down slope to the car. During walk some tightness, tenderness, apparent weakness but, no stabing , burning or pain. Returns to vacation condo and uses ice and Ibuprofen and limited weight bearing to self treat. This morning no worse and perhaps somewhat improved with some tenderness on upper front of torso (anterior), minimal swelling, able to bear weight, but slight -moderate antalgic gait w/o instability. My vacation is through next weekend.

1. Should I stick it out with reduced weight bearing activities or
2. Go home for an orthopedic consult, some imaging studies and prescription for therapy?
Other thoughts and/or recommendations? XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You should go home for scans.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain and swelling after the injury that you sustained is suggestive of a sift tissue injury. Any bone injury is less likely but needs an X-ray and MRI scan to detect the extent of damage that you have suffered.
Even if you continue with the regimen of rest and icing you need a complete bed rest as any weight bearing can worsen the damage. It is best to go home and consult an orthopedic so that the best treatment for you can be planned.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (38 minutes later)

Logical. But, assuming it is soft tissue I would think that meaningful therapy can not be initiated right away. The damage to the tissues ect. has already occurred and absent tears will just have to heal. Nothing else can be done right? Again. I am not in pain. At the risk of me playing doctor do I really have to be on bed rest if what we are talking about is fairly minor disruption of the joint capsule ?
I have to think I would be worse off then I am if there was a bone issue or a ligamentous tear. Outside of providing good conservative advise ( get an MRI). Is there really any justification for leaving the Smokies and driving back to XXXXXXX to get a scan and a prescription for a Scan and therapy?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Bone or ligament injury is less likely.

Detailed Answer:
Yes. You are right. If there is no extreme pain and swelling then a minor capsular tear is likely. In that case conservative treatment with pain killers and non weight bearing will help in healing. You can wait and in case the symptoms worsen then drive back home for investigations.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 minutes later)

Thank you for your analysis and response.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar