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How can you care for your child's dislocated prosthetic hip?
- If your doctor put your child in a spica cast or brace, make sure to follow all instructions your doctor gives you.
- Be sure your child follows the safety precautions your doctor gives you to keep the hip centered in its socket during the healing period.
- Have your child keep their knees and toes pointed forward when they sit, walk, or stand.
- Your child should not sit with their legs crossed.
- Your child should not bend at the waist more than 90º. Be careful when your child leans or moves in bed. Have them keep their legs as straight ahead as possible.
- Have your child rest the hip as much as possible. They will need to change activities to avoid movements that irritate the hip.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If your child's hip is swollen, put ice or a cold pack on it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when your child is awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
- If your doctor gave your child exercises to do at home, help your child do them exactly as your doctor told you.
- Don't let your child do anything that makes the pain worse.
Prosthetic hip dislocation in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has trouble breathing. Symptoms may include:
- Using the belly muscles to breathe.
- The chest sinking in or the nostrils flaring when your child struggles to breathe.
- Your child is very sleepy and you have trouble waking them.
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has new or worse nausea or vomiting.
- Your child has signs that the hip may be dislocated again. These signs include:
- Severe pain.
- A crooked leg that looks like the hip bone is out of position.
- Not being able to straighten the leg.
- Your child's leg or foot turns cold or changes color.
- Your child can't feel or move their leg.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child has new or worse pain.
- Your child does not get better as expected.
- Your child has problems with a cast or brace.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.