Dislocations
What are Dislocations?
A dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint are forced out of their normal position, typically as a result of a sudden impact, fall, or traumatic injury. This can happen in almost any joint in the body, but dislocations are most commonly seen in the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, and fingers.
When a joint dislocates, the surrounding ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues are often stretched or torn in the process, which can lead to significant pain, swelling, and an inability to move the affected joint. In some cases, nearby nerves or blood vessels may also be affected, making prompt medical attention important.
Dislocations are considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated and treated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If you experience a dislocation, head to your nearest emergency department.
Treatment Options
Non-Operative Treatments
Reduction: A healthcare professional carefully manipulates the bones back into their proper position.
Immobilization with a splint, sling, or brace following reduction to protect the joint and allow the surrounding soft tissues to heal
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) in the early stages to help manage pain and swelling
NSAIDs or pain medication to control discomfort during the recovery period
Physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore strength, stability, and range of motion to the joint once the initial healing phase has passed
Activity modification to avoid movements or positions that could cause the joint to dislocate again during recovery
Surgical Options
Arthroscopic Stabilization: A minimally invasive procedure where a small camera and instruments are inserted into the joint to repair torn or stretched ligaments and tighten the soft tissue structures responsible for keeping the joint in place.
Open Surgical Repair: A larger incision is made to directly access and repair ligament or soft tissue damage that cannot be addressed through minimally invasive techniques.
Bankart Repair: A procedure commonly performed for shoulder dislocations where the torn labrum, a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the joint, is reattached to the socket to restore stability and reduce the risk of future dislocations.
Latarjet Procedure: A bone grafting procedure used where a piece of bone is transferred to the socket to rebuild its structure and provide additional stability.
Tendon or Ligament Reconstruction: A procedure where severely damaged soft tissue structures are rebuilt using grafts taken from the patient or a donor.
Joint Replacement: This procedure replaces the damaged joint with an artificial implant to restore function and relieve pain.