Understanding Dislocations of Joints: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Dislocations of Joints

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Joint Dislocation

General

A dislocation is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint. This injury can be very painful and can temporarily deform and immobilize the joint. The most common locations for a dislocation are shoulders and fingers, but can also occur in elbows, knees and hips. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport.

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Signs & symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a dislocation include: * Joint is visibly deformed or out of place * Numbness or tingling at the joint * Swollen or discolored * Limited ability to move * Intense pain

Treatment

Treatment of a dislocation depends on the location of the joint and the severity of the injury. Initial treatment for a dislocation involves rest, ice, compression and elevation. Sometimes, the dislocated joint might go back into place naturally after this treatment. If this does not occur, there are a number of treatments your doctor may use, including: * Repositioning- the doctor may try to reposition the joint back into place. You may be given sedative or anesthetic to remain comfortable and to allow the muscles near your joint to relax. * Immobilization- If the doctor was able to reposition your bones, you will then likely need to weather a splint or sling for several weeks to immobilize the joint. * Surgery- Surgery may be required to move the dislocated bones back into the correct positions if nearby blood vessels, nerves or ligaments have been damaged. Surgery may be an option if you've had multiple dislocations, especially in the shoulder.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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