Dislocations Summary Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows and jaw. You can also dislocate your finger and toe joints. Dislocated joints often are swollen, very painful and visibly out of place. You may not be able to move it. A dislocated joint is an emergency. If you have one, seek medical attention. Treatment depends on which joint you dislocate and the severity of the injury. It might include manipulations to reposition your bones, medicine, a splint or sling, and rehabilitation. When properly repositioned, a joint will usually function and move normally again in a few weeks. Once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are more likely to dislocate it again. Wearing protective gear during sports may help prevent dislocations. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Diagnosis and Tests Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Array Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Dislocations National Institutes of Health Images Creating a sling – slideshow Children Developmental Dislocation (Dysplasia) of the Hip (DDH) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Dislocations Nemours Foundation Nursemaid’s Elbow (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Specifics Dislocated Shoulder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Jaw Dislocation Merck & Co., Inc. Array Dislocated shoulder – aftercare Dislocation Kneecap dislocation Kneecap dislocation – aftercare Nursemaid’s elbow Start Here Dislocation Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies Dislocation: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Encyclopedia How to make a sling Jaw – broken or dislocated Find an Expert National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Journal Articles Dislocations Related Issues Shoulder Instability American Academy of Family Physicians
