A dislocation is an injury to a joint — a place where two or more bones come together — in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. This painful injury temporarily deforms and immobilizes your joint.
Dislocation is most common in shoulders and fingers. Other sites include elbows, knees and hips. If you suspect a dislocation, seek prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions.
When treated properly, most dislocations return to normal function after several weeks of rest and rehabilitation. However, some joints, such as your shoulder, may have an increased risk of repeat dislocation.
A dislocated joint can be:
- Visibly deformed or out of place
- Swollen or discolored
- Intensely painful
Immovable
Dislocations can occur in contact sports, such as football and hockey, and in sports in which falls are common, such as downhill skiing, gymnastics and volleyball. Basketball players and football players also commonly dislocate joints in their fingers and hands by accidentally striking the ball, the ground or another player.
A hard blow to a joint during a motor vehicle accident and landing on an outstretched arm during a fall are other common causes.
Risk factors for a joint dislocation include:
- Susceptibility to falls. Falling increases your chances of a dislocated joint if you use your arms to brace for impact or if you land forcefully on a body part, such as your hip or shoulder.
- Heredity. Some people are born with ligaments that are looser and more prone to injury than those of other people.
- Sports participation. Many dislocations occur during high-impact or contact sports, such as gymnastics, wrestling, basketball and football.
Motor vehicle accidents. These are the most common cause of hip dislocations, especially for people not wearing a seat belt.
Complications of a joint dislocation can include:
- Tearing of the muscles, ligaments and tendons that reinforce the injured joint
- Nerve or blood vessel damage in or around your joint
- Susceptibility to reinjury if you have a severe dislocation or repeated dislocations
- Development of arthritis in the affected joint as you age
Stretching or tearing of ligaments or tendons that support your injured joint or damage to nerves or blood vessels surrounding the joint might require surgery to repair these tissues.
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