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Joint dislocation | |
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Other names | Latin: luxatio |
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A traumatic dislocation of the tibiotarsal joint of the ankle with distal fibular fracture. Open arrow marks the tibia and the closed arrow marks the talus. | |
Specialty | Orthopedic surgery ![]() |
A joint dislocation, also called luxation, occurs when there is an abnormal separation in the joint, where two or more bones meet. [1] A partial dislocation is referred to as a subluxation. Dislocations are commonly caused by sudden trauma to the joint like during a car accident or fall. A joint dislocation can damage the surrounding ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. [2] Dislocations can occur in any major joint (shoulder, knees, hips) or minor joint (toes, fingers). The most common joint dislocation is a shoulder dislocation. [1]
The treatment for joint dislocation is usually by closed reduction, that is, skilled manipulation to return the bones to their normal position. Only trained medical professionals should perform reductions since the manipulation can cause injury to the surrounding soft tissue, nerves, or vascular structures. [3]
The following symptoms are common with any type of dislocation. [1]
Joint dislocations can have associated injuries to surrounding tissues and structures, including muscle strains, ligament and tendon injuries, neurovascular injuries, and fractures. [5] [6] [7] [8] Depending on the location of the dislocation, there are different complications to consider.
In the shoulder, vessel and nerve injuries are rare, but can cause many impairments and requires a longer recovery process. [5] Knee dislocations are rare, but can be complicated by injuries to arteries and nerves, leading to limb-threatening complications. [6] Degenerative changes following injury to the wrist are common, with many developing arthritis. [7] Persistent nerve pain years after the initial trauma is not uncommon. [7] Most finger dislocations occur in the middle of the finger (PIP) and are complicated by ligamentous injury (volar plate). [8] Since most dislocations involving the joint near the fingertip (DIP joint) are due to trauma, there is often an associated fracture or tissue injury. [8] Hip dislocations are at risk for osteonecrosis of the femoral head, femoral head fractures, the development of osteoarthritis, and sciatic nerve injury. [9] [10] Given the strength of ligaments in the foot and ankle, ankle dislocation-fractures can occur. [11]
Joint dislocations are caused by trauma to the joint or when an individual falls on a specific joint. [4] Great and sudden force applied, by either a blow or fall, to the joint can cause the bones in the joint to be displaced or dislocated from their normal position. [12] With each dislocation, the ligaments keeping the bones fixed in the correct position can be damaged or loosened, making it easier for the joint to be dislocated in the future. [12]
A variety of risk factors can predispose individuals to joint dislocation. [12] They can vary depending on location of the joint. Genetic factors and underlying medical conditions can further increase risk. [13] Genetic conditions, such as hypermobility syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome put individuals at increased risk for dislocations. [13] Hypermobility syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects the ligaments around joints. [14] The loosened or stretched ligaments in the joint provide less stability and allow for the joint to dislocate more easily. [14] Dislocation can also occur because of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. [15] In Rheumatoid arthritis the production of synovial fluid decreases, gradually causing pain, swollen joints, and stiffness. [15] A forceful push causes friction and can dislocate the joint. [15] Notably, joint instability in the neck is a potential complication of rheumatoid arthritis. [15]
Participation in sports, being male, variations in the shape of the joint, being older, and joint hypermobility in males are risk factors associated with an increased risk of first time dislocation. [16] Risk factors for recurrent dislocation include participation in sports, being a young male, a history of a previous dislocation with an associated injury, and any history of previous dislocation. [16]
Initial evaluation of a suspected joint dislocation begins with a thorough patient history, including mechanism of injury, and physical examination. Special attention should be focused on the neurovascular exam both before and after reduction, as injury to these structures may occur during the injury or during the reduction process. [3] Imaging studies are frequently obtained to assist with diagnosis and to determine the extent of injury.
Dislocations can either be full, referred to as luxation, or partial, referred to as subluxation. Simple dislocations are dislocations without an associated fracture, while complex dislocations have an associated fracture. [23] Depending on the type of joint involved (i.e. ball-and-socket, hinge), the dislocation can further be classified by anatomical position, such as an anterior hip dislocation. [23] Joint dislocations are named based on the distal component in relation to the proximal one. [24]
Preventing joint dislocations can be difficult since most are caused by an unexpected injury. If participating in activities such as contact sports, where there is a risk for dislocation, wearing appropriate protective equipment can be helpful. Similarly, avoiding positions that place the joint in a vulnerable position can reduce the risk of experiencing a dislocation. Strengthening the muscles surrounding joints can effectively reduce the risk of a joint dislocation and recurrent dislocations. [4]
X-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis and detect any associated fractures. A dislocation is easily seen on an X-ray. [25] Once X-rays are taken, the joint is usually manipulated back into position. This can be a very painful process. This is typically done either in the emergency department under sedation or in an operating room under a general anaesthetic. [26] A dislocated joint should be reduced into its normal position only by a trained medical professional. Trying to reduce a joint without any training could worsen the injury. [27]
It is important to reduce the joint as soon as possible. Delaying reduction can compromise the blood supply to the joint. This is especially true in the case of a dislocated ankle, due to the anatomy of the blood supply to the foot. [28] On field reduction is crucial for joint dislocations. As they are extremely common in sports events, managing them correctly at the game at the time of injury, can reduce long term issues. They require prompt evaluation, diagnosis, reduction, and post-reduction management before the person can be evaluated at a medical facility. [29] After a dislocation, injured joints are usually held in place by a splint (for straight joints like fingers and toes) or a bandage (for complex joints like shoulders).
Immobilization is a method of treatment to place the injured joint in a sling or in another immobilizing device in order to keep the joint stable. [29] There is no significant difference in healing or long-term joint mobility between simple shoulder dislocations treated conservatively versus surgically. [30] Shorter immobilization periods are encouraged, with the goal of return to increased range-of-motion activities as soon as possible. [31] [32] Shorter immobilization periods is linked to increased ranges of motion in some joints. [32]
Muscles, tendons and ligaments around the joint should be strengthened. This is usually done through a course of physical therapy, which will also help reduce the chances of repeated dislocations of the same joint. [33] Take the shoulder for example. The most common treatment method for a dislocation of the shoulder joint is exercise based management. [34] For shoulder instability, the therapeutic program depends on specific characteristics of the instability pattern, severity, recurrence and direction with adaptations made based on the needs of the patient. In general, the therapeutic program should focus on restoration of strength, normalization of range of motion and optimization of flexibility and muscular performance. Throughout all stages of the rehabilitation program, it is important to take all related joints and structures into consideration. [35]
Surgery is often considered in extensive injuries or after failure of conservative management with strengthening exercises. [4] The need for surgery will depend on the location of the dislocation and the extent of the injury. Different methods and techniques exist to stabilize the joint with surgery. One method is through the use of arthroscopic surgery. [25]
Prognosis varies depending on the location and extent of the dislocation. The prognosis of a shoulder dislocation is dependent on various factors including age, strength, connective tissue health and severity of the injury causing the dislocation. [23] There is a good prognosis in simple elbow dislocations in younger people. Older people report more pain and stiffness on average. [23] Wrist dislocations are often difficult to manage due to the difficulty in healing the small bones in the wrist. [23] Finger displacement towards the back of the hand is often irreducible due to associated injuries, while finger displacement towards the palm of the hand is more readily reducible. [23] Overall, recovering from a joint dislocation can range from a few weeks to months, depending on the severity of the injury. [4]
Each joint in the body can be dislocated, however, there are common sites where most dislocations occur. The most common dislocated parts of the body are discussed as follows: