ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Dislocation

What is dislocation?

4 May 2021

This type of injury is also called a luxation in which two bones connected by a ligament come partially or completely out of position due to stretching or excessive force on this fibrous connective tissue flexible band.

In general, the causes of the injury are trauma or falls, either due to accidents or contact sports, and can occur in the shoulder, jaw, hip, ankle, knee, and fingers.

When a dislocation occurs, the joint can be seen out of place, producing inflammation, and pain, and preventing its movement.

These injuries tend to affect adults more frequently since the cartilage in children is less strong than their tendons.

If you experience this type of injury, you should seek medical attention immediately as it is an emergency, regardless of the severity of the case and the affected area, since a fracture may appear along with the dislocation, so, if not attended to promptly, it can cause serious complications.

The treatment consists of putting the bones back in place and putting on a splint or sling to immobilize the area and promote healing. They will also prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories to control symptoms.

Signs and symptoms Dislocation

  • Bruising.
  • Redness.
  • Stiffness.
  • Numbness.
  • Tingling.
  • Intense pain.
  • Swelling.
  • Partial or total movement limitation.
  • Lump or anatomical abnormality in the injured area.

Diagnosis and treatment Dislocation

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and medical history, they will perform a physical examination and ask you how you were injured.

They will also perform various imaging studies to determine the area and severity of the injury, such as:

  • X-rays.
  • MRI.

The treatment plan will depend on the exact place of the injury, its nature, and severity, but they will prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories, and recommend rest, immobilization of the affected area, application of ice, and compression. With these guidelines, the bones sometimes relocate on their own. However, when this does not happen, the doctor will need to reposition the bones in the correct position.

Similarly, they can do the following:

  • Cast or splint placement to immobilize the joint in the proper position.
  • Traction therapy, which consists of applying weight through pulleys or weights placed above the bed to achieve stretching of the tendons and muscles that surround the injured area.
  • Surgical procedure in severe or recurrent cases.

Additionally, they might recommend:

  • Rest.
  • Use of crutches or wheelchairs.
  • Physical therapy to promote the strengthening of tendons and muscles, in addition to increasing their flexibility.

At the Orthopedics and Traumatology Center, we seek to improve the lives of patients restricted or immobilized by musculoskeletal disorders or injuries. We specialize in the care of the locomotor system by integrating the latest medical, biological, and technological advances, in strict adherence to the highest international standards of patient care.

Related centers and departments Dislocation

Orthopedics and Traumatology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • stanfordchildrens.org
  • middlesexhealth.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Fernández VJM, Ayala GU, Domínguez CND. Fractura-luxación carpometacarpal del segundo al quinto dedo. An Med Asoc Med Hosp Saludora. 2017;62(1):10-14.
  • Picco DMI, Wong RG, Zarazúa GCA. Infiltración de sangre autóloga, una opción real para el tratamiento de la dislocación recurrente crónica de la articulación temporomandibular. Rev Mex Cir Bucal Maxilofac. 2014;10(2):65-70.
  • González-Velázquez F, Torres-Salazar J, Izeta-Torres V. Calidad de vida de la luxación acromioclavicular. Acta Ortop Mex. 2014;28(2):95-99.
  • Salcedo DJA, Ortuño NBX. Luxación traumática de cadera en pacientes pediátricos. Reporte de 5 casos. Acta Ortop Mex. 2010;24(4):260-263.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.