DISLOCATION DISLOCATION
DISLOCATION
A
dislocation is an injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from
their normal positions. The cause is usually trauma, such as a blow or fall,
but dislocation can be caused by an underlying disease such as rheumatoid
arthritis.
Dislocations
are common injuries in contact sports, such as football and hockey, and in
sports that may involve falls, such as downhill skiing and volleyball.
Dislocations may occur in major joints such as your shoulder, hip, knee,
elbow or ankle or in smaller joints such as your finger, thumb or toe. The
injury will temporarily deform and immobilize your joint and may result in
sudden and severe pain. A dislocation requires prompt medical attention to
return your bones to their proper positions.
Symptoms
and Signs
-
Pain
-
Swelling
-
Bruising
-
Deformity
at a joint
If
you believe you have dislocated a joint
-
Don't delay medical care.
Get medical help immediately.
-
Don't move the joint.
Until you receive help, splint the affected joint into its
fixed position. Don't try to move a dislocated joint or
force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its
surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves or blood vessels.
-
Put ice on the injured joint.
This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal
bleeding and the buildup of fluids in and around the injured
joint.
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