Joint dislocations are common sports injuries, but they can happen at home or anywhere else, too. Although joint dislocation isn’t a broken bone, it can hurt like one — and at Go To Ortho, we understand how unsettling and stressful this injury can be. Our experienced team serves the Portland area with locations in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, Oregon, and we’re here to help you get back on your feet. Whether you’ve experienced a dislocation in the past or are dealing with one now, knowing how the injury happens and how to recognize it can play a big role in your recovery.
What Causes a Joint Dislocation?
Joint dislocations often occur due to accidents. Common causes include:
- Falls
- Auto accidents
- Contact sports injuries — common in basketball, football, and hockey
In these situations, a short period of intense force pushes your bones out of place, and the joint doesn’t return to its spot.
Consistently wearing protective sports gear and seatbelts can help reduce your risk of joint dislocation. However, hereditary conditions that weaken connective tissues are an example of a joint dislocation risk factor you can’t control.
How to Tell if You Have a Joint Dislocation
In most cases, symptoms start immediately after a joint dislocation happens. Some telltale symptoms are:
- Intense pain: Dislocations are extremely painful, often making it impossible to move the joint.
- Visible deformity: A dislocated joint may swell dramatically and look noticeably different in shape and size.
- Discoloration: The area around the dislocated joint often turns purple, blue, or dark red.
About half of joint dislocations occur in the shoulder, with other common sites including the fingers, toes, elbows, and hips. However, you can experience dislocation in nearly any joint in your body.
How Our Portland Joint Dislocation Experts Can Help
At Go To Ortho, we offer full-spectrum care, including reduction (returning your joint to its place), immobilization (splinting or slinging it to keep it in place as it heals), and, where necessary, surgery. After treatment, we also prescribe a rehab program to help restore full joint movement and function while reducing your risk of re-injury. With offices in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, we make getting the care you need convenient. With our extensive experience in treating sports, workers comp, and other injury types, we’re ready to prioritize your recovery.
If you have a joint dislocation, don’t prolong your pain — call us at 503-850-9950 for expert support today.
