Dislocation

A dislocation is an injury to a joint-where two or more bones come together- which forces the ends of the bones out of their normal alignment. Dislocations are most common in shoulders and fingers, but any mobile joint can dislocate.

A subluxation, on the other hand, is when a joint quickly dislocates and then immediately goes back in on its own. This feels like a “slip and slip back” and is also referred to as a partial dislocation or an incomplete dislocation.

 

Symptoms

• Hearing or feeling a “pop”

• Visibly deformed or out of place bone

• Swollen joint

• Intensely painful

• Unable to move joint

• Bruising/discoloration

• Possible numbness or tingling

• Reduced strength

 

Causes

• A fall 

• Sudden traumatic force causing injury

• Car accident

• Anything causing a hard blow to a joint

 

Risk factors

• Susceptibility to falls (poor balance)

• Poor muscular control

• Hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

• Older less mobile individuals 

• High impact or contact sports

• Heredity for laxity

• Motor vehicle accident

 

Prevention

• Take precautions to avoid falls

• Get eyes checked regularly

• Do not take medications that make you dizzy

• Avoid alcohol

• Make sure areas that you walk and move are well lighted to avoid tripping

• Use handrails and non-slip mats/rugs

• Take things off floor that one might trip on

• Play safely and wear protective gear

• Strengthen muscles surrounding joints to make the joints more stable

 

Diagnosis

• Examination by physician in which blood and nerve supply are checked (pre and post reduction)

• X-ray to check for broken bones (pre and post reduction)

• MRI to check for ligamentous or soft tissue damage

 

Treatment

• Closed reduction- putting the bones manually back into place without opening the individual’s joint

• Anesthesia may be necessary if the patient cannot relax enough for the physician to reduce the dislocation

• Immobilization with a sling and splint

• Pain medication will be given to reduce pain 

• Physical therapy to restore full range of motion and strength of muscles surrounding the joint

• Open reduction surgery may be necessary if the physician cannot manually reduce 

• Rest, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication

• Full recovery after several weeks but depends largely on joint and severity of injury/if other structures were injured with the dislocation.

• After reduction, surgery may be necessary to repair other structures if injured