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Dislocations
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Injuries Wounds

Dislocations

Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position, often resulting from falls or contact sports.

Overview

Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and jaw, as well as your finger and toe joints. Dislocated joints are often swollen, very painful, and visibly out of place, and you may be unable to move the affected joint.

Treatment & Management

A dislocated joint is an emergency; if you have one, seek medical attention. Treatment depends on the specific joint and the severity of the injury. It may include:

  • Manipulations to reposition your bones
  • Medicine
  • A splint or sling
  • Rehabilitation

When properly repositioned, a joint will usually function and move normally again in a few weeks. However, once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are more likely to dislocate it again. Wearing protective gear during sports may help prevent dislocations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Younger patients, particularly those under 25, have a significantly higher risk of recurrent dislocations because their ligaments and joint capsules are more elastic and less likely to scar down tightly after the initial injury. As people age, the tissues become stiffer and less prone to stretching out again, which naturally lowers the recurrence rate. However, older adults are more likely to suffer associated fractures, such as a humeral head fracture, which complicates treatment and recovery compared to the soft-tissue injuries common in younger patients.
ttempting to reduce a dislocation without medical supervision can cause severe complications, including fractures of the bone ends, tearing of ligaments, or damage to nearby nerves and blood vessels. In the case of a hip or knee dislocation, improper force can crush the joint cartilage or displace bone fragments into the joint space. A healthcare provider uses specific techniques and often sedation to relax the muscles safely, ensuring the joint is realigned without causing additional structural damage.
Preventing recurrence focuses on strengthening the muscles that stabilize the joint, particularly the rotator cuff for the shoulder or the surrounding musculature for other joints. Physical therapy programs emphasize eccentric strengthening and proprioception training to improve the body's ability to react to sudden movements. Additionally, wearing protective gear during contact sports and avoiding high-risk activities until the joint is fully stable can significantly reduce the chance of a second dislocation.
Finger dislocations generally have a much shorter recovery period, often requiring only a few days to two weeks of splinting and gentle movement exercises, provided there is no associated fracture. In contrast, shoulder dislocations involve larger muscles and a more complex joint capsule, typically requiring four to six weeks of immobilization followed by months of physical therapy to restore full stability and strength. The larger the joint and the more muscle mass involved, the longer the healing and rehabilitation process tends to be.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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