A dislocation is a separation of the end of a bone and the joint it meets. Bones that touch in the joints sometime separate when they are overstressed.
Injuries related to dislocations include damage to the membrane lining the joint as well as tears to nearby muscles and ligaments.
Causes
Injuries from contact
sports or falls
Rheumatoid arthritis
Inborn joint defects
Joints weakened by previous injury
Suddenly jerking a toddler's hand or arm
Force applied in the wrong direction that
snaps the ball of the upper arm bone out of the shoulder socket
The shoulders are especially prone to dislocation injuries. The elbow is a common site in toddlers. Fingers, hips, ankles, elbows, jaws, and even the spine can be dislocated as well. A dislocated vertebrae in the spine often damages the spinal cord and can paralyze body parts lower than the injury site.
Signs and Symptoms
A dislocated joint is:
Misshapen
Very painful
Swollen
Discolored
Sometimes it is hard to tell a dislocation from a broken bone. It is best to seek medical attention if you suspect a dislocation. It is unwise to try to put a dislocated bone back into its socket.
When treated professionally, you can usually expect the dislocated joint to function within 24 to 48 hours. Activity may need to be limited for the next 4 to 6 weeks, though, to give the injury enough time to heal.
Prevention
Protect a previously
injured joint by wrapping it with an elastic bandage or tape.
Wear protective pads (shoulder, wrist,
knee, etc.) when taking part in contact sports or in other activities in which you may
fall or otherwise get injured.
Questions To Ask
| Is there an injury to the neck or spine? {Note: See Neck/Spine Injuries.}  |
 |
| Is there severe bleeding around the injury? {Note: See First Aid for Major Bleeding under "Cuts, Scrapes, & Punctures".} |
|
Are there any of these problems?  An area that is deformed A limb that is pale, cold or numb A limb that is very painful and/or swollen
or one that can't bear weight{Note: See Immobilize the injured area under "Broken Bones".} |
|
{Note: If you have answered NO to all of the above questions you probably do not have a dislocation. If you are not sure, consult your doctor.}
{Note: All dislocations need medical attention. Seek help as soon as possible after the injury. The Self-Care Tips below list things you can do for a dislocation before and after you get medical care.}
Dislocations, like other joint injuries,
are often best treated by R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and
elevation) during the first 24-48 hours after the injury.
| R | Rest. Rest the injured area as much as possible. |
| I | Ice. Ice the injured area as soon as possible. Immediately putting ice on the injury helps to speed recovery because it not only relieves pain but also slows blood flow, reducing internal bleeding and swelling. |
| Put ice cubes or crushed ice
in a heavy plastic bag with a little water. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables.
Wrap the ice pack in a towel before placing it on the injured areas. |
|
| Apply the ice pack to the
injured shoulder for 10-20 minutes. Reapply it every two hours and for the next 48 hours
during the times you are not sleeping. |
|
| C | Compression. Apply a snug elastic bandage to the injured joint. Numbness, tingling, or increased pain means the bandage is too tight. Remove the bandage every 3-4 hours and leave off for 15-20 minutes each time you do so. |
| E | Elevation. Raise the injured body part above the level of the person's heart. Place it on a pillow, folded blanket, or stack of newspapers. |
Take an over-the-counter medicine to
reduce inflammation and pain. Acetaminophen eases soreness but does not help with
inflammation. {Note: See Pain
relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99