Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a bone slips out of a joint. For example, the top of your arm bone fits into
a joint at your shoulder. When it slips or pops out of that joint, you have a dislocated shoulder. You
can dislocate almost any joint in your body, including your knee, hip, ankle, or shoulder. Dislocations
typically result when a joint experiences an unexpected or unbalanced impact. This might happen if
you fall or experience a harsh hit to the affected area. After a joint dislocates, it’s more likely to
dislocate again in the future.
In most scenarios, you’ll easily be able to see a dislocation. The area may be swollen or look bruised.
You may notice that the area is red or discoloured. It may also have a strange shape or be deformed
as a result of the dislocation. Some of the other symptoms associated with dislocated joints include:
loss of motion
pain during movement
numbness around the area
tingling feeling
Your doctor’s choice of treatment will depend on which joint
you dislocated. It may also depend on the severity of your dislocation. According to Johns Hopkins
University, initial treatment for any dislocation involves RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
In some cases, the dislocated joint might go back into place naturally after this treatment. If the joint
doesn’t return to normal naturally, your doctor may use one of the following treatments:
manipulation or repositioning
immobilization
medication
rehabilitation
Manipulation
In this method, your doctor will manipulate or reposition the joint back into place. You’ll be given a
sedative or anaesthetic to remain comfortable and also to allow the muscles near your joint to relax,
which eases the procedure.
Immobilization
After your joint returns to its proper place, your doctor may ask you to wear a sling, splint, or cast for
several weeks. This will prevent the joint from moving and allow the area to fully heal. The length of
time your joint needs to be immobile will vary, depending on the joint and severity of the injury.
Medication
Most of your pain should go away after the joint returns to its proper place. However, your doctor
may prescribe a pain reliever or a muscle relaxant if you’re still feeling pain.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation begins after your doctor properly repositions or manipulates the joint into the correct
position and removes the sling or splint (if you needed one). The goal of rehabilitation is to gradually
increase the joint’s strength and restore its range of motion.
A dislocation occurs when a bone slips out of a joint. For example, the top of your arm bone fits into
a joint at your shoulder. When it slips or pops out of that joint, you have a dislocated shoulder. You
can dislocate almost any joint in your body, including your knee, hip, ankle, or shoulder. Dislocations
typically result when a joint experiences an unexpected or unbalanced impact. This might happen if
you fall or experience a harsh hit to the affected area. After a joint dislocates, it’s more likely to
dislocate again in the future.
In most scenarios, you’ll easily be able to see a dislocation. The area may be swollen or look bruised.
You may notice that the area is red or discoloured. It may also have a strange shape or be deformed
as a result of the dislocation. Some of the other symptoms associated with dislocated joints include:
loss of motion
pain during movement
numbness around the area
tingling feeling
Your doctor’s choice of treatment will depend on which joint
you dislocated. It may also depend on the severity of your dislocation. According to Johns Hopkins
University, initial treatment for any dislocation involves RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
In some cases, the dislocated joint might go back into place naturally after this treatment. If the joint
doesn’t return to normal naturally, your doctor may use one of the following treatments:
manipulation or repositioning
immobilization
medication
rehabilitation
Manipulation
In this method, your doctor will manipulate or reposition the joint back into place. You’ll be given a
sedative or anaesthetic to remain comfortable and also to allow the muscles near your joint to relax,
which eases the procedure.
Immobilization
After your joint returns to its proper place, your doctor may ask you to wear a sling, splint, or cast for
several weeks. This will prevent the joint from moving and allow the area to fully heal. The length of
time your joint needs to be immobile will vary, depending on the joint and severity of the injury.
Medication
Most of your pain should go away after the joint returns to its proper place. However, your doctor
may prescribe a pain reliever or a muscle relaxant if you’re still feeling pain.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation begins after your doctor properly repositions or manipulates the joint into the correct
position and removes the sling or splint (if you needed one). The goal of rehabilitation is to gradually
increase the joint’s strength and restore its range of motion.
