Joint Dislocations

When you think of a joint you might imagine a knee, a shoulder or the knuckles of your fingers. Three primary structures keep these joints in place; the shape of the joint surfaces, the surrounding ligaments and the muscles that cross the joint.

A dislocation occurs when the surfaces of a joint are forced away from one another, resulting in pain, visible deformity and an inability to use the joint.

take all injuries of this nature seriously

When a joint suffers a dislocation there can be joint surface damage, muscle damage and weakness and almost always ligament damage. Your recovery is dependent on the extent of this damage, the medical treatment you receive following injury and how vigilantly you follow your Rehabilitation Programme.

First Aid

DON’T TRY TO PUT-IT-BACK-IN

Apply Ice

Immobilise the area

Seek immediate Hospital attention

Particularly in cases of childhood dislocation and congenital instability, a joint may pop out and back in with or without excruciating pain, often leaving the injured person confused as to what has actually happened to them. These cases should be treated like any other dislocation with immediate Hospital attention and full assessment by a trusted Rehab professional. Following First Aid and Hospital attention there will be a period of strict rest before Rehab exercises can commence, but be patient and get ready to put all of your energy into your recovery.

be patient and get ready to put all your energy into recovery

Once a dislocation has occurred there is an increased likelihood of recurrence so take all injuries of this nature seriously and take steps to promote as comprehensive a recovery as possible. If you have suffered repeated dislocations you will undoubtedly be apprehensive of particular activities and live in fear of your next dislocation. There is a reason that you have had a number of incidents with the same joint and it is advisable to seek a full assessment of your current condition.

You may have developed a major muscle imbalance or certain postural or behavioural patterns that increase the likelihood of your injury happening again. There is nothing worse than going through that pain and the lengthy recovery process only to suffer another dislocation and have to start all over again.

In some cases there are surgical options that may be appropriate and in all cases a comprehensive physical and functional assessment is the best starting point to get you on the road to your fullest recovery whilst answering your questions and dispelling your fears.