What Is Dislocation?

Dislocation is an injury to the joint that occurs when the bone shifts and exits its normal position. All joints in the body can experience dislocations, including the shoulder joint, fingers, knees, hips and ankles.

Causes of Dislocation
Dislocation occurs due to injury, especially the hard impact experienced by the joints. Some factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing it are:

Sports , like when playing basketball, soccer, gymnastics, or wrestling.
Motor vehicle accidents.
Descent. Some people are born with weaker ligament conditions, making them more susceptible to dislocation.
Elderly people. Older people have a tendency to fall and experience dislocation.
Children. Children tend to have high physical activity. If it is not supervised by an adult, a dislocation can occur.

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Symptoms of Dislocation
The following are some of the symptoms of dislocation, including:

Swollen and bruised joints.
The affected part of the joint is red or blackened.
The shape of the joint becomes abnormal.
Feel sick when moving.
Numbness around the joint area.

Dislocation Diagnosis
Dislocations tend to be difficult to distinguish from fractures. As a first step, the doctor will examine the joint area suspected of having a dislocation, as well as blood circulation around the dislocation area. Next, the doctor will do several tests to ensure the diagnosis, including:

X-Ray , to show the presence of dislocation or other damage in the joint area, such as fractures.
MRI , to help doctors assess damage to the soft tissue structure around a dislocated joint.

Dislocation Treatment
Treatment will be adjusted to the area and severity of dislocation that the patient is experiencing. Some forms of treatment that might be done include:

Reduction. Actions taken by the doctor to return the bone to its original position.
Immobilization. After the bone has returned to its original position, the doctor will block the motion of the joint by using joint supports, such as casts, for several weeks.
Operation. If the doctor is unable to return the bone to its original position or if the blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments adjacent to the dislocation are damaged, the doctor will do the surgery.
Rehabilitation. After the joint support has been removed, the patient will undergo a rehabilitation program to restore the range of motion and strength of the joint.

In addition to treatment, there are a number of simple steps that patients can take themselves to help with the healing process. Among others are:

Resting joints that are dislocated. Don't move the injured joint too much and avoid movements that trigger pain.
Take painkillers if needed. Over-the-counter medicines at pharmacies, such as ibuprofen , can help relieve the pain that is felt.
Compress joints with warm water and ice. Place ice on the injured joint to reduce inflammation and pain. Use cold compresses for the first 1-2 days. After 2-3 days, when the pain and inflammation begin to disappear, use a hot compress to help relax tight and sore muscles.
Train injured joints. After 1-2 days, do a little exercise on the injured joint according to the doctor's instructions. This is done so that the joints are not stiff.

Dislocation Complications
If the dislocation is not treated immediately, this condition can get worse and can cause several complications, such as:

Damage to nerves and blood vessels around the joints.
Tearing of the muscles, ligaments, and muscle connective tissue with the bones (tendons) in the injured joint.
Inflammation of injured joints . This risk will be higher in the elderly.
Increased risk of injury to dislocated joints.

Prevention of Dislocation
To prevent injuries that can result in dislocations, including:

Always be careful and alert when carrying out activities.
Always hold on to the side of the stairs every time up or down
Move the power cord on the floor to a safe location so you don't trip.
Use protective equipment when exercising.
Do not stand on unstable places, such as chairs.
Cover the floor with a non-slippery carpet.
Do fitness exercises regularly to improve balance and strengthen the muscles of the body.
Check your eye health regularly and make sure the house has sufficient lighting.

Whereas in children, the risk of injury and dislocation can be reduced by: