Hip Pain After a Car Accident: From a Bruise to a Dislocation
After the crash, your knee hurt and you got it checked. But a few days later, the pain is deeper: in the groin, on the side of the hip or in the buttock. It hurts to get out of the car, put on your shoes or climb stairs.
It is not a coincidence. In a frontal crash, the knee often hits the dashboard, and that force travels up the thigh bone to the hip. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), car crashes are the most common cause of hip dislocations, often through exactly that mechanism.
Call 911 or go to the ER right away if:
You cannot put weight on your leg · the leg looks shorter or is turned in or out · the pain in your hip or groin is severe · you have numbness or weakness in your leg, ankle or foot · there is blood in your urine or severe pain in your pelvis or lower belly.
Do not try to walk it off. If someone may have a dislocated hip, do not move them and wait for help.
Common hip injuries after a crash
| Injury | What it is | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| Contusion | A bruise of the muscle or bone, often from the door or the seatbelt | Tender to the touch, bruising, pain that improves over days to weeks |
| Muscle or tendon strain | Overstretched muscles of the hip or groin from bracing for the impact | Pain when lifting the leg, walking fast or getting out of the car |
| Labral tear | A tear in the ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket | Deep groin pain, clicking or catching, stiffness |
| Bursitis | Irritation of the small cushions on the outside of the hip | Pain on the side of the hip, worse when lying on that side |
| Dislocation or fracture | The ball comes out of the socket, or the pelvis or femur breaks | Severe pain, cannot move or bear weight on the leg |
The AAOS notes that a hip dislocation rarely comes alone: it often comes with fractures in the pelvis or leg, injuries to the back, belly or knee, and even head injuries. That is why the evaluation after a strong crash should be complete.
Pain that is not always the hip
Sometimes the hip hurts but the problem is somewhere else. A disc injury in the lower back can send pain to the buttock and down the leg. If the pain runs below the knee or comes with tingling, read about herniated disc and sciatica after a car accident. And if your knee also hit the dashboard, see knee pain after a car accident.
How it is evaluated
The provider checks how you walk, how far your hip moves in each direction, where it hurts and how strong your leg is. They also check your lower back and your knee. Depending on what they find, they may order:
- X-rays, to rule out fractures and dislocations.
- MRI, to see soft tissues like the labrum, tendons and cartilage.
- CT, when a complex fracture of the pelvis is suspected.
Read more in X-ray, MRI or CT after a car accident.
Treatment and recovery
A dislocation or fracture needs emergency care and, often, surgery. For bruises, strains, bursitis and many labral tears, treatment usually starts conservatively:
What usually helps
- Relative rest: avoid what makes the pain worse, without stopping all movement.
- Cold or heat, as your provider directs.
- Physical therapy to recover range of motion and strengthen the hip and core muscles.
- Gradually returning to walking, stairs and daily activities.
- Sleeping with a pillow between your knees if you lie on your side.
If the pain does not improve after several weeks of treatment, or the hip keeps catching or locking, the provider may refer you to an orthopedic specialist.
The short version
Hip pain after a crash can be a simple bruise or a serious injury, especially if your knee hit the dashboard. Not being able to bear weight, a shortened or turned leg, or numbness in your foot are emergencies. For everything else: get evaluated, tell your provider exactly where it hurts, and do not let groin or hip pain “just go away” without checking it.
Sources
- AAOS OrthoInfo — Hip dislocation (causes, associated injuries and sciatic nerve injury).
- Mayo Clinic — Hip labral tear.
This article is informational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you were in a car accident in the Salt Lake City area, Car Injury Clinic (Taylorsville, UT) offers same-day evaluation, free transportation and coordination with your attorney. Call 385-242-8571 or book an appointment.
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