The evaluation of a hip injury begins with a history and physical exam.

Physical findings in someone with a hip injury may include:

• Bruising of the buttocks
• Bruising over the hip
• Inability to stand
• Limping
• Leg numbness (unilateral)
• Numbness in the leg below the hip
• Pain with movement of the hip joint
• Shortening of the leg on the affected side
• Swelling of the soft tissue over the hip
• Tenderness over the hip
• Weakness in the leg below the hip

Tests may be required to evaluate a hip injury.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a hip injury include:

• X-rays of the hip:
• Normal hip x-rays
• Common hip fractures
• Femoral neck hip fracture
• Intertrochanteric hip fracture
• Types of hip fracture
• CT scan of the hip
• MRI of the hip joint
• Bone scan

For more information:

• Hip fracture evaluation
• Hip dislocation evaluation