Dislocation - Types, Causes, Symptoms, First Aid And Treatment Of Dislocations

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Types of dislocations, symptoms and treatment

Content:

• What is a dislocation?
• Types of dislocations
• Dislocation symptoms
• Causes of dislocations
• First aid for dislocation
• Treatment

What is a dislocation?

Dislocation is a violation of the articulation of the articular surfaces of the bones (congruence), which occurs as a result of destructive processes in the joints (arthrosis, arthritis) or trauma. In case of trauma under the influence of mechanical forces, the ends of the bones are forced to move from their normal position.

Even during uterine development, a person can get injured, which will cause a dislocation. This type of damage accompanies people at all stages of life.

During dislocation, a violation of the integrity and functionality of the joint occurs. In complex cases, there may be a rupture of the joint capsule and damage to the ligaments, arteries and nerve nodes. Such a disease requires the intervention of specialists who will provide patients with first aid and prescribe constructive treatment.

Most often, dislocations occur with impacts and falls. A special risk group are athletes in contact sports (football, hockey, volleyball, etc.) or people involved in sports involving frequent falls (skiing, skating).

The dislocated joint is temporarily deformed and immobilized. Symptoms are severe pain and swelling. The dislocation must be corrected by returning the displaced joint to its original place.

Types of dislocations

Dislocations are classified according to the degree of displacement, origin, and the size of the joint that has been displaced.

In terms of the degree of displacement, the dislocation can be complete, that is, one that is accompanied by a complete divergence of the ends of the joints, or incomplete (subluxation) - when the surfaces of the joints are partially in contact. A dislocated joint is the one farther from the trunk. The exceptions are the vertebrae (the vertebra located above is considered dislocated), the clavicle, the shoulder (dislocation can be anterior and posterior).

Depending on the origin, dislocations can be congenital or acquired. Congenital occur as a result of a violation of the intrauterine development of the child. Dislocation of the hip joint (dysplasia) is a common pathology; dislocation of the knee joint is less common. Acquired dislocations are the result of trauma or various diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, osteomyelitis, poliomyelitis, etc.)

Also, dislocations can be open and closed. Closed dislocations occur without rupture of the skin and tissues over the joint, and open ones - with the formation of a wound. Damage to muscles, blood vessels, bones, tendons, or nerves makes the dislocation more complicated. The habitual dislocation is spoken of in situations where, due to poor treatment, the dislocation may reappear even with minor exposure. Pathological dislocation, characteristic mainly of the hip and shoulder joints, occurs when the pathological process destroys the surfaces of the joints.

If the muscles surrounding the joint are susceptible to paralysis or paresis, they speak of paralytic dislocation.

In addition, modern medicine identifies more than ten types of dislocations that can affect the following joints in the following parts of the body:

• Dislocated ankle
• Dislocated ankle
• Dislocation of the shoulder joint
• Dislocated legs
• Dislocation of the neck (cervical vertebra)
• Dislocation of fingers and toes
• Dislocation of the elbow joint
• Dislocated knee
• Hip dislocation
• Dislocation of the acromial end of the clavicle
• Dislocated arm
• Dislocated jaw

Dislocation symptoms

The symptoms of a dislocation depend on its type. For example, congenital dislocation of the hip joint is manifested by gait disturbances, since the abduction of the leg is limited, the gluteal folds are asymmetric, over time, one leg becomes shorter than the other, which is fraught with lameness. If the dislocation of the hip is bilateral, the gait becomes "duck".

Congenital dislocation of the knee joint is accompanied by severe pain syndrome, gait disturbances; the joint is inflamed and motionless. Traumatic dislocations are manifested by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint.

But if we talk about general symptoms, then the following symptoms are observed:

• redness appears in the area of the damaged joint;
• a strong pain syndrome appears, which increases with any movement of the limb;
• in the victim, the deformity of the joint is visually determined, since due to the dislocation, it changes not only its size, but also its shape;
• severe edema appears in the area of dislocation;
• some patients lose sensitivity in the limbs (with nerve damage);
• violation of motor function;
• temperature increase;
• fever alternating with chills, etc.

Causes of dislocations

In most cases, dislocations occur due to indirect injuries, that is, those in which the site of injury is distant from the damaged joint. For example, falling on an outstretched hand, a person is likely to dislocate the shoulder joint. Also, traumatic dislocation can occur with sudden movements that exceed the norm of joint mobility. Dislocations from direct joint injury are much more rare.

Many people are diagnosed with dislocated joints against the background of past diseases, such as:

• any injury during which the joint is fixed for a while;
• tuberculosis;
• osteomyelitis;
• arthrosis, arthritis, etc.

This type of joint damage can be not only acquired, but also congenital, developing as a result of improper formation of the musculoskeletal system in a person even during the period of intrauterine development.

First aid for dislocation

In case of dislocations, you cannot self-medicate, as you can cause irreparable harm to the damaged joint.

Others can provide first aid to the victim as follows:

• immobilize the injured joint and fix it in this position, using for this purpose either a medical splint or any available means;
• if there is damage to the skin in the joint area, then they should be treated with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide;
• apply a cold compress to the damaged area, which will help reduce swelling;
• give the victim a medication that will relieve severe pain;
• call an ambulance or independently transport the patient to the nearest medical facility (no later than 2-3 hours after the injury).

If a person is injured in their upper extremities, they should be transported to a medical facility in a seated position. In the event that the victim has injuries to the lower extremities, it is necessary to deliver him to the hospital in a horizontal position.

Diagnostics

During the examination, the traumatologist (surgeon) will palpate the damaged areas of the body, after which he will send the patient for a hardware examination. By means of radiography, it is possible to determine the extent and exact location of the damage. Once the preliminary diagnosis has been confirmed by X-ray, the patient is treated for the dislocation.

Treatment

The essence of any method of treating dislocation is to set the articular limbs and return them to their usual physiological position. All therapeutic measures for this category of patients should be carried out under local or general anesthesia. The choice of the type of anesthesia directly depends on the location of the dislocation and its complexity.

The specialist proceeds to the reduction of the joint only after the complete immobilization of the injured limb. The reduction process must be done very carefully. The doctor should not make any sudden movements that could aggravate the situation. The joint will fall into place in parallel with the characteristic soundtrack - a click.

Treatment of traumatic dislocation after joint reduction consists in physiotherapeutic manipulations (massage, remedial gymnastics, acupuncture). Pathological dislocations sometimes require surgery to restore joint function. It is also imperative to treat the underlying disease if the dislocation of the joint is its consequence.

It usually takes one month for a person to fully recover the functions of an injured limb. During this period, it is recommended to reduce the load on the joint as much as possible. In the second month, you can start physical activity, gradually increasing them.

Congenital dislocations are treated differently. Therapy should be started as early as possible, the optimal age is up to two years. Otherwise, you will need to apply special splints, wear orthopedic shoes, or even surgery.

Rehabilitation

After removing the plaster cast, patients must undergo rehabilitation, due to which the motor function of the joints is fully restored.

Everyone, without exception, is recommended:

• take a course of physiotherapy procedures;
• engage in physiotherapy exercises;
• visit the pool;
• hiking in the fresh air, etc.

Prevention

In order to prevent dislocations, you must first of all take good care of your health. Everyone should avoid falls and other types of injury that can cause dislocation. Exercising regularly will strengthen your joints and make your ligaments more elastic. Do not forget about proper nutrition, the use of vitamin and mineral complexes, which include the components necessary for the full functioning of the joints.

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.