Last month, I twisted my foot underneath me and fell. My right hip popped out of the socket. The doctor in the emergency department put the joint back in place. I’m worried it will pop out again. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?

Hip dislocations can cause damage to the soft tissue around the joint. The cartilage and ligaments can get stretched out or even torn. The protective lip of cartilage around the socket called the labrum is also at risk for damage. If any of these injuries have occurred, the patient is at risk for another dislocation.

Recurrent hip dislocations can be prevented with proper treatment. After the hip joint is replaced, the patient is put in a splint or brace to immobilize the joint. This should be worn for three months during the healing phase.

Any further episodes of hip dislocation may be treated surgically. The type of operation depends on the hip anatomy, type of dislocation, and extent of damage to the surrounding soft tissues