Dislocated a Joint? Here's What You Should Do First

A joint dislocation can happen unexpectedly from a fall or when you’re engaged in high-impact sports or exercise. Knowing how to care for this type of injury soon after it happens can lower your risk for additional complications.

Our experts at AABP Integrative Pain Care provide comprehensive joint care in the office. Our board-certified pain specialists offer a range of advanced treatments to manage a dislocated joint and its symptoms.

Here are some basic first-aid tips for handling a dislocation without risking further damage to your joint.

An overview of a dislocated joint

A healthy joint comprises two bones that meet at a central point and are held in place by tendons, ligaments, and muscles. A dislocation occurs when any part of a joint moves out of position.

While the human body has hundreds of joints, dislocations typically affect the largest joints, including the elbows, shoulders, and hips. Smaller joints in the fingers and toes are also prone to dislocation.

There are two types of joint dislocations:

Subluxation

Subluxation describes a partial dislocation where the bones of the joint still touch but not completely.

Luxation

Luxation describes a complete dislocation where the joint bones are forced completely apart and out of their original position.

First-aid care for a dislocated joint

Following a joint dislocation, you might experience severe pain and swelling. Your joint may also be difficult to move and be noticeably out of place or misshapen.

It’s important that you don’t move the affected joint or try to push it back into place. Doing so can tear the ligaments and other tissues or compress nearby nerves. This can lead to nerve damage, severe pain, and ongoing complications that interfere with your quality of life.

Call our office for an urgent care appointment or visit the nearest hospital emergency room. You can also apply ice to ease pain, prevent inflammation, and prevent fluid from building around the dislocated joint.

Our office features advanced diagnostic technology to examine your joint and surrounding tissues closely. Your provider will discuss your treatment options based on the severity of your dislocation.

Treatment strategies for a dislocated joint

The first step in your treatment is to relocate your joint. Our experienced physicians carefully move the joint structures back into place by pushing or pulling on the bones.

Our providers can provide medications to control pain during this process. They may also prescribe pain relievers or anti-inflammatories that you take afterward to help the joint heal.

When you return home, be sure to limit physical activity that involves the joint and give your body time to rest. In some cases, you may need to wear a brace or a sling to immobilize your joint and prevent further injury.

If your joint dislocation is severe, you may need surgery to repair damaged bone or tissue. The physicians discuss your options for surgery during your consultation. They can also provide after-care services to manage joint pain after the procedure.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care in Brooklyn, New York, to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for a dislocated joint. You can also book a consultation using the online feature.