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id="breadcrumbs"><div itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" itemscope="" itemprop="breadcrumb"><span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Encyclopedia</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> </div><div><span>Dislocation</span></div></div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000014.htm </span>  <article><div id="d-article"><div class="page-info"><div class="page-title"><a name="start" id="start"> </a><h1 class="with-also" itemprop="name">Dislocation</h1> </div><div class="page-actions"> </div> <noscript> <span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span> </noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>A dislocation is a disruption of the normal position of the ends of two or more bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows movement.</p><p>A dislocated joint is a joint where the bones are no longer in their normal positions.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Considerations</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>It may be hard to tell a dislocated joint from a <a test="test" href="./000001.htm">broken bone</a>. Both are emergencies that need first aid treatment.</p><p>Most dislocations can be treated in your health care provider's office or an emergency room. You may be given <a test="test" href="./007409.htm">medicine to make you sleepy</a> and to numb the area. Sometimes, <a test="test" href="./007410.htm">general anesthesia</a> that puts you into a deep sleep is needed.</p><p>When treated early, most dislocations do not cause permanent injury.</p><p>You should expect that:</p><ul><li>Injuries to the surrounding tissues generally take 6 to 12 weeks to heal. Sometimes, surgery to repair a ligament that tears when the joint is dislocated is needed.</li><li>Injuries to nerves and blood vessels may result in more long-term or permanent problems.</li></ul><p>Once a joint has been dislocated, it is more likely to happen again. After being treated in the emergency room, you should follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon (a bone and joint specialist).</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Causes</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Dislocations are usually caused by a sudden impact to the joint. This usually occurs following a blow, fall, or other trauma.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Symptoms</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>A dislocated joint may be:</p><ul><li>Accompanied by numbness or tingling at the joint or beyond it</li><li>Very painful, especially if you try to use the joint or put weight on it</li><li>Limited in movement</li><li>Swollen or bruised</li><li>Visibly out of place, discolored, or misshapen</li></ul><p><a test="test" href="./000983.htm">Nursemaid's elbow</a>, or pulled elbow, is a partial dislocation that is common in toddlers. The main symptom is pain so that the child doesn't want to use the arm. This dislocation can be easily treated in your provider's office.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>First Aid</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>First aid steps to take:</p><ul><li>Call 911 or the local emergency number before you begin treating someone who may have a dislocation, especially if the accident that caused the injury may be life threatening.</li><li>If the person has a serious injury, check their airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin <a test="test" href="./000010.htm">CPR</a>, or bleeding control.</li><li>Do not move the person if you think that their head, back, or leg has been injured. Keep the person calm and still.</li><li>If the skin is broken, take steps to prevent infection. Do not blow on the wound. Rinse the area gently with clean water to remove any dirt you can see, but do not scrub or probe. Cover the area with sterile dressings before immobilizing the injured joint. Do not attempt to put the bone back in place unless you are a bone specialist.</li><li>Apply a <a test="test" href="./000040.htm">splint</a> or <a test="test" href="./000017.htm">sling</a> to the injured joint in the position in which you found it. Do not move the joint. Also immobilize the area above and below the injured area.</li><li>Check blood circulation around the injury by pressing firmly on the skin in the affected area. It should turn white, then regain color within a couple of seconds after you stop pressing on it. To reduce the risk for developing infection, do not do this step if the skin is broken.</li><li>Apply ice packs to ease pain and swelling, but do not put ice directly on the skin. Wrap the ice in a clean cloth.</li><li>Take steps to prevent <a test="test" href="./000039.htm">shock</a>. Unless there is a head, leg, or back injury, lay the victim flat, elevate their feet about 12 inches (in) or 30 centimeters (cm), and cover the person with a coat or blanket.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>DO NOT</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><ul><li>Do not move the person unless the injury has been completely immobilized.</li><li>Do not move a person with an injured hip, pelvis, or upper leg unless it is absolutely necessary. If you are the only rescuer and the person must be moved, drag them by their clothing.</li><li>Do not attempt to straighten a misshapen bone or joint or try to change its position.</li><li>Do not test a misshapen bone or joint for loss of function.</li><li>Do not give the person anything by mouth.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>When to Contact a Medical Professional</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if the person has any of the following:</p><ul><li>A bone projecting through the skin</li><li> A known or suspected dislocation or broken bone </li><li> An area below the injured joint that is pale, cold, clammy, or blue </li><li> Severe bleeding </li><li> Signs of infection, such as warmth or redness at the injured site, pus, or a fever </li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Prevention</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-7" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-7"><p>To help prevent injuries in children:</p><ul><li>Create a safe environment around your home.</li><li>Help prevent falls by placing gates at stairways and keeping windows closed and locked.</li><li>Keep a watchful eye on children at all times. There is no substitute for close supervision, no matter how safe the environment or situation appears to be.</li><li>Teach children how to be safe and look out for themselves.</li></ul><p>To help prevent dislocations in adults:</p><ul><li>To avoid falls, do not stand on chairs, countertops, or other unstable objects.</li><li>Eliminate throw rugs, especially around older adults.</li><li>Wear protective gear when participating in contact sports.</li></ul><p>For all age groups:</p><ul><li>Keep a <a test="test" href="./001958.htm">first aid kit</a> handy.</li><li>Remove electrical cords from floors.</li><li>Use handrails on staircases.</li><li>Use nonskid mats on the bottom of bathtubs and do not use bath oils.</li></ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Joint dislocation</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Images" class="section-body" id="section-tnails"><ul class="img-grid group"> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/17259t.jpg" alt="Radial head injury" title="Radial head injury" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/17259.htm">Radial head injury</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19098t.jpg" alt="Dislocation of the hip" title="Dislocation of the hip" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19098.htm">Dislocation of the hip</a></li> <li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/19623t.jpg" alt="Shoulder joint" title="Shoulder joint" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19623.htm">Shoulder joint</a></li> </ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Klimke A, Furin M, Overberger R. Prehospital immobilization. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. <em>Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 46.</p><p>Mascioli AA. Acute dislocations. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. <em>Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics</em>. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 60.</p><p>Naples RM, Ufberg JW. Management of common dislocations. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. <em>Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care</em>. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 49.</p></div></div></section> <section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 6/17/2024</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div> <div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p> </div></div></section><section><div class="section ency-citation"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title ency-citation"><div id="citation-how-to"><button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button></div></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Related MedlinePlus Health Topics</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-mtp" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action"> </span></button></div><div class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen" aria-live="polite"> </div></div><div name="Related MedlinePlus Health Topics" class="section-body" id="section-mtp"><ul class="side-nav"><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/dislocations.html">Dislocations</a></li> </ul></div></div></section></div></div></article> </div> <footer> <div class="provider-box group"> <div class="urac-logo"> <a href="https://accreditnet.urac.org/directory/#/certification/HCP-2/info"><img src="https://www.urac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Certified001.png"/></a> <p class="urac-logo-info">Health Content Provider<br>06/01/2025</p> </div> <p class="adam-info"> <a href='javascript:urac_open();'>A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC</a>, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). 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