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Dislocation - Overview

Alternative Names

Joint dislocation

Definition of Dislocation:

A dislocation is a separation of two bones where they meet at a joint. (Joints are areas where two bones come together.) A dislocated bone is no longer in its normal position, which may result in damage to ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.

Considerations:

It may be hard to tell a dislocated bone from a broken bone. Both are emergency situations and require the same first aid treatment.

Most dislocations can be treated in a physician's office or in the emergency room. You may be given medicine to make you sleepy. Sometimes general anesthesia in the operating room is needed.

Most dislocations, if treated early, will not result in permanent injury.

  • Injuries to the surrounding ligaments generally take 3 - 6 weeks to heal. Sometimes, surgery to repair a torn ligament is needed.
  • Injuries to nerves and blood vessels may result in more long-term or permanent problems.

Once a joint has been dislocated, it is more likely to happen again. Follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon is recommended after a dislocation.

Causes:

Dislocations are usually caused by a sudden impact to the joint. This usually occurs following a blow, fall, or other trauma.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/13/2010
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Levine Am, Trafton PG, Krettek C., eds. Skeletal Trauma. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008.

Chapman MW. Fracture healing and closed treatment of fractures and dislocations. In: Chapman MW, Szabo RM, Marder RA, Vince KG, Mann RA, Lane JM, et al, eds. Chapman's Orthopaedic Surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: 2000:chap 10.

Foley KA. Knee dislocation. In: Rosen P, Barkin RM, Hayden SR, Schaider JJ, Wolfe R, eds. Rosen and Barkin's 5-Minute Emergency Medicine Consult. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2007.

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