Hip Injuries, Age 11 and YoungerTopic Overview
A hip injury can be hard to deal with, both for the child who has
the injury and for the parent or caregiver. A child who has a hip injury may
feel pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee. A child in pain may limp or be
unable or unwilling to stand, walk, or move the injured hip. A baby in pain may
cry, be fussy, and have other
signs of pain. To better understand hip
injuries, it may be helpful to know how the
hip  works. It is the largest ball-and-socket joint in
the body. The thighbone (femur) fits tightly into a cup-shaped socket
(acetabulum) in the pelvis. The hip joint is tighter and more stable than the
shoulder joint but it does not move as freely. The hip joint is held together
by muscles in the buttocks, groin, and spine; tendons; ligaments; and a joint
capsule. Several fluid-filled sacs (bursae) cushion and lubricate the hip joint
and let the tendons and muscles glide and move smoothly. The largest nerve in
the body (sciatic nerve) passes through the pelvis into the leg. Hip injuries A sudden (acute) injury may occur
from a fall on a hip, a direct blow to a hip or knee, or abnormal twisting or
bending of the leg. Acute injuries include: - Muscle strain
in the hip, groin, or buttock.
- Bruising (contusion) of the hip
muscles (hip pointer). Deep muscle bruising may occur with other injuries to
the hip. Tenderness and muscle spasm may also be present.
- Dislocated hip,
hip fracture, or
pelvic fracture . Dislocations and fractures of the hips and pelvis are not
often seen in children unless a severe injury (such as a car accident) has
occurred.
- Avulsion fracture. This occurs when a
muscle forcibly tears away from a bone and breaks a piece of bone.
Treatment for a hip injury depends on the location,
type and severity of the injury as well as the child's age, general health, and
activity level. Treatment may include first aid measures; application of a
brace, cast, harness, or traction; physical therapy;
medicines; or surgery. Review the Emergencies and Check
Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when your child needs to see a
health professional.
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