Diagnostic Code 5254 · 38 CFR §4.71a
A flail hip joint is a severely unstable hip where the joint has lost its structural integrity and can move in uncontrolled directions. This typically occurs after a failed hip replacement, severe trauma that destroyed the joint, or infection that eroded the bone. The hip essentially becomes non-functional because it cannot bear weight reliably. Veterans with flail hip joints usually require significant assistive devices and may be unable to walk without support.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 80% |
Orthopedic records documenting the joint instability and its cause, Imaging showing joint destruction, failed hardware, or bone loss, Surgical records if the flail joint resulted from a failed procedure, Functional assessment documenting inability to bear weight reliably, Records of assistive devices prescribed