Has anyone got experience of partial hip dislocation when paddling? My 16 year old daughter is a competitive flatwater racer, and several times recently, when she's been paddling hard, her hip has "popped" out of joint. Obviously, this isn't a total dislocation, but it's very painful and rather worrying, especially as it has occurred in both hips.

How worried should we be?
Does anyone know of any treatment or exercise that would alleviate it?

Thanks.

I seriously think you should see a doctor. He/she will more than likely refer you to a specialist. I've been paddling for more than 5 years and never come close to anything like that, even though I've torn cartiladge in my shoulder and now have some lovely plastic screws and some strings inside of me. Even high volume rivers and big waves haven't beaten me enough to hurt my hips, only my spine from being bent backwards over the boat and once my neck from a 5m flat landing. So flatwater shouldn't be causing such pain!!!! Good luck mate, I hope she comes right!

As Adrian noted, definitely get your daughter to a doctor/PT to get her checked out. It sounds like she has extremely hypermobile joints--this may, ultimately be the underlying cause of her hip popping out, but it's still good to go to a doctor to rule out other causes. If it is hypermobility, then it could be congenital, or could be from her own doing--opening/stretching joints/ligaments to hypermobile ranges (you see this in dancers/gymnasts). She could do exercises to strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, as well as exercises to strengthen the core, but if she is suffering from hypermobility, you can't 'tighten' the ligaments--only strengthen the muscles around the joint. Also, have her pay very careful attention around the time she's on her period, as she will have elastin floating around in her body, making her joints/ligaments even more loosey-goosey. Good luck!