A dislocation is an injury to a joint—when two or more bones that come together are forced from their normal positions. This painful injury temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joint. Dislocation treatment is crucial for restoring joint function and preventing further damage. Whether the result of a sports injury, fall, or an accident, dislocations require immediate attention to minimize pain and avoid complications.
At Go To Ortho, in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR, our highly experienced orthopedic surgeons, physicians, and their skilled and caring team provide immediate treatment plans so individuals can recover quickly and regain full mobility in the affected joint.
What Causes a Dislocation?
A dislocation is usually the result of a fall or a blow, or sometimes from playing a contact sport, such as basketball, hockey, and football.
Are There Risk Factors Associated With a Joint Dislocation?
There are several risk factors associated with a joint dislocation including susceptibility to falls, heredity, sports participation, and motor vehicle accidents.
In motor vehicle accidents, hip dislocations are very common for people who don’t wear seatbelts.
What Are The Symptoms of a Dislocation?
The most common symptoms associated with a dislocated joint include:
- Swelling or Discoloration
- Intense Pain
- Visible deformity or out of place joint
- Immobility
What Are the Most Common Types of Dislocations?
You can dislocate your finger and toe joints as well as your ankles, elbows, hips, jaw, knees, shoulders, and wrist. The most commonly dislocated joint is the shoulder.
Dislocations are very common sports injuries.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should treat a dislocation as an emergency and seek prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions.
While you wait to see a doctor, you should ice the joint and keep it immobile. You can also take ibuprofen for the pain. You will have pain until the dislocation is put back into place. Only trained medical professionals should do this. Do not attempt to move or jam a dislocated bone back in place yourself as you can damage blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
How Do You Diagnose a Dislocation?
Your doctor may order a bone X-ray (radiography) to confirm the dislocation or any other damage to your joint. An MRI may also be ordered to help your doctor assess damage to the soft tissue structures around a dislocated joint.
Are There Different Types of Dislocations?
A dislocation can be partial or complete. A complete dislocation means the joints have fully separated. A partial dislocation means part of the joint is still in place.
A simple dislocation doesn’t cause bone injury, a complex dislocation can include serious bone and ligament injury, and a severe dislocation can also impact the nerve and blood vessels.
How Do You Treat a Dislocation?
Treatment usually depends on which joint you dislocate and the severity of the injury, however, treatment options usually include:
Reduction. Your doctor may try gentle maneuvers to help your bones back into position. Sometimes a local or general anesthetic is administered to help with the pain before manipulation of your bones.
Immobilization. After your bones are back in position, your doctor might immobilize your joint with a splint or sling. Depending on the extent of damage to nerves, blood vessels and supporting tissue, you may have to wear the splint or sling for several weeks.
Surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your dislocated bones cannot be moved into their correct positions or if the nearby blood vessels, nerves or ligaments have been damaged. Surgery may also be recommended for patients who have a history of recurring dislocations.
Rehabilitation. Once your splint or sling is removed, your doctor will have you begin a rehabilitation program designed to help restore your joint’s range of motion and strength.
What Is The Recovery Time For a Dislocation?
When treated properly, you can return to normal activity after several weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Note that some joints, such as the elbow, knee, and shoulder, may have an increased risk of repeat dislocation.
What Can You Do To Encourage Healing?
After being treated for a dislocation injury, you can do several things to help ease discomfort and encourage healing:
- Rest your dislocated joint.
- Apply ice and heat to help reduce inflammation and swelling. For the first day or two, use a cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. After 2 or 3 days, use hot packs or a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes at a time to help relax tightened and sore muscles.
- Take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen.
- Maintain the range of motion in your joint doing gentle exercises as prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist to avoid stiff joints.
Are There Any Complications Associated with a Dislocation?
A joint dislocation can cause several complications including:
- Muscle, ligament, and tendon tears that support the injured joint
- Nerve or blood vessel damage in or around the joint
- Risk of Reinjury
- Arthritis in the affected joint as you age
Surgery may be required for torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support the injury joint, or for nerve or blood vessel damage in or around the joint.
How Do You Prevent a Dislocation?
There are several things you can do to prevent a dislocation including:
Ensure your home is well-lighted. Having a well-lighted home can help prevent falls in your home. You should also remove any potential tripping hazards from the areas where you walk.
Do Strength and Stability Exercises. Doing strength and stability exercises will help you improve joint support and avoid recurrent dislocations. Once you’ve dislocated a joint, you may be more susceptible to future dislocations.
Wear Protective Gear. If you play contact sports, you should wear the suggested protective gear.
How Should You Handle an Emergency Situation?
Here are the DOs and DON’Ts for handling an emergency situation:
DOs:
- Call for medical assistance immediately if the victim has a dislocation, broken bone, or severe bleeding.
- Keep the victim still and provide reassurance.
- Cover the victim with a coat or blanket.
DON’Ts:
- Do not try to move a dislocated joint back into place. Only trained medical professionals should do this.
- Do not test a misshapen bone or joint for loss of function.
- Do not give the victim anything by mouth.
- Do not move the victim if you suspect a head, back, or neck injury.
- Do not move the victim with an injured hip, pelvis, or upper leg unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must move the victim immediately, drag him or her by the clothing.
- Do not move the victim unless the injured area is completely immobilized.
Come See Us
If you suspect that you or a loved one has a dislocation, come to see us at Go To Ortho. Walk-in appointments are welcome.
Source
Mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dislocation/symptoms-causes
Walk-in appointments are welcome. View our hours.
Why Choose Go To Ortho
Launched in July 2017 by four highly skilled orthopedic surgeons—Dr. Steven Madey, Dr. Amer Mirza, Dr. Britton Frome, and Dr. Corey Vande Zandschulp—Go To Ortho is the first immediate care clinic of its kind in the Portland area, designed to provide specialized orthopedic treatment in an urgent-care setting. All of our surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS), and collectively, we bring over 50 years of experience to the clinic. Our surgeons have privileges at all major hospitals in Portland and several surgery centers, ensuring seamless continuity of care if surgery is needed.
At Go To Ortho, we offer immediate diagnosis of injuries, corrective treatments, and medications if necessary while providing long-term recovery options. This approach makes us the go-to place for patients who need to see qualified specialists right from the start—resulting in better outcomes and less hassle. If your injury is not life-threatening and you don’t want to wait in the ER, come to Go To Ortho for fast, expert care.
Our focus is on prompt, specialized treatment without the long wait times often associated with larger medical institutions. With a patient-centered approach, Go To Ortho offers walk-ins and appointments, ensuring effective injury care without the need for emergency room visits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I try to pop the joint back into place myself?
No, attempting to reset a dislocated joint yourself can cause further injury. Seek medical attention immediately.
Can I use ice or heat to treat a dislocated joint?
Use ice, not heat, to reduce swelling and pain. Avoid heat as it may increase inflammation.
Will I need physical therapy after a dislocation?
Yes, physical therapy is often recommended to restore strength and mobility and to prevent future dislocations.
Can a dislocated joint be dislocated again easily?
Yes, once a joint is dislocated, it is more prone to future dislocations due to weakened ligaments.
What is the difference between a sprain, break, and dislocation?
A sprain is a ligament that is stretched or torn, a break is a bone fracture, and a dislocation is when a joint is forced out of its normal position.
What is the first aid treatment for dislocations?
Immobilize the joint, apply ice, and seek medical help. Do not try to move or reset the joint.
Can dislocations heal by themselves?
No, dislocations do not heal properly without medical intervention. Treatment is required to reset the joint and promote healing.
Seek Immediate Dislocation Treatment in Portland, OR
Proper treatment for a dislocated joint is essential for a full recovery and long-term joint stability. With the right medical intervention, rehabilitation, and preventative measures, patients can confidently reduce the risk of future dislocations and return to their daily activities. If you suspect a dislocation, do not hesitate to seek professional care.
Call us at 503.850.9950 to schedule an appointment, or come in for immediate attention. We have two locations in Beaverton and Lake Oswego. Early treatment is key to avoiding permanent damage and ensuring a successful recovery.
