Joint dislocations are painful and often very frightening to experience. Of course, not every dislocation can be prevented. However, understanding how they occur and assessing dislocation risks can go a long way in staying safe. Below, we explain what joint dislocations are, how they happen, and practical advice for preventing dislocations during activities.
What Is a Joint Dislocation?
A dislocation is where a bone in one of your joints gets pushed out of its usual place. We have hundreds of joints in our bodies, and these spots are where two bones meet. Any joint can be dislocated. This type of injury can make it very painful or even impossible to use the affected area.
Dislocations also have the potential to strain or injure your surrounding tissues, such as muscles, nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. This can lead to additional pain, swelling, or temporary loss of strength in the affected area. In some cases, serious injuries and damage to surrounding areas may take longer to heal and require ongoing medical follow-ups.
Types of Dislocation Injuries
Under the right conditions, any joint in your body can suffer a dislocation. However, certain dislocation injuries are more common than others due to their usage and range of motion. Joints that heavily rely on surrounding muscles and ligaments are especially susceptible.
Some of the areas most likely to experience this event include:
- Fingers
- Shoulders
- Knees
- Elbows
- Hips
- Jaws
Fingers and shoulders are often involved in catching, reaching, or bracing during falls and may dislocate that way. Knees and elbows, meanwhile, may dislocate during sudden twists or direct impact.
Cause of Dislocation Injuries
Dislocations can happen during a fall, sudden impact, or awkward movement, especially when the body is unprepared or off balance. This can happen at home, on the job, or during recreational activities. Possible causes or events leading to dislocations include:
- Slipping on a wet floor
- Overreaching for an object
- Being involved in a vehicle accident
- Using heavy tools or equipment
- Sports or other recreational activities
Generally speaking, any situation that places stress on the joint can result in a dislocation. That includes even routine movements if they involve unexpected force or poor positioning.
Risk Factors for Joint Dislocation
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of a joint dislocation. Having a previous dislocation area is among the strongest risk factors, since joints that have been injured before could be less stable. Physical labor of nearly any kind comes with a level of risk as well.
Workers who spend a lot of time lifting or throwing materials may experience a dislocation during their careers. Additionally, improper technique–regardless of the activity–can sometimes lead to a dislocation. Lifting a heavy object with poor form, for example, can put a strain on a joint and cause it to dislocate.
Joint Dislocation Symptoms
Dislocation injuries are often very painful. If you experience the following dislocation symptoms, you may want to seek medical treatment:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- The affected joint looks noticeably out of place
- Being unable to move or use the joint
- A feeling of weakness or instability in the joint
- Loss of sensation or circulation/numbness
Prompt treatment for these symptoms can help relieve pain and reduce the risk of further damage.
How To Prevent Dislocation
While accidents happen, there are some ways to prevent experiencing this type of injury. Following these tips will help reduce the potential for a dislocation injury and ensure your physical safety.
- If working or playing sports, always wear the proper protective equipment.
- Never try to “work through the pain.” If you experience pain, stop your activity immediately and assess the situation.
- Allow for plenty of rest after practices, games, and other times of highly physical activities.
- Remember to stretch and warm your body properly before working out or playing.
- Don’t forget to cool your body down with stretching after physically taxing activities.
- Build joint-supporting strength through regular conditioning.
- Using proper footwear can make a big difference and help reduce the risk of slips or awkward landings.
- Get to know the proper body mechanics for your work duties or recreational activity.
Will My Child Miss School for a Dislocation?
If your child can still move around comfortably and isn’t in a situation where they’d need to put pressure on their injured joint, then they shouldn’t miss school for a dislocation.
However, they’ll need to avoid sports and physical activities for several weeks. Some minor dislocations can heal in as little as 4-6 weeks, but more serious injuries can take up to 16 weeks or longer to heal.
Understanding Dislocation Injuries in Sports
Getting involved in sports is an excellent way to become part of your community and engage in a physically and mentally stimulating activity. However, there are some risks to participating in sports, and injuries aren’t uncommon.
A study in recent years showed that dislocation injuries account for 3.6% of all sports-related emergency room visits. The majority of those dislocation injuries occurred while playing basketball, a popular sport for middle and high schoolers.
It’s also possible that a person might not notice a dislocation right away while in the middle of a sporting event, especially if it occurs to a finger. This is because of the high levels of adrenaline athletes experience.
Visit The Urgency Room for Dislocation Injuries
If you believe you or your child has suffered a dislocation injury, it’s important to seek medical treatment immediately for an assessment. We treat a variety of injuries and health concerns, and we have the equipment and resources needed to quickly diagnose and treat the injury.
If you suspect a dislocation injury, visit one of our in-person locations in Eagan, Golden Valley, Woodbury, or Vadnais Heights.