MedlinePlus says dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position [1]. MedlinePlus says the cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport [1]. MedlinePlus lists the ankles, knees and shoulders among the joints that can dislocate [1]. MedlinePlus says a dislocated joint is an emergency [1].
This page sets out what the sources say about what a joint dislocation is, the usual signs, and whether it is an emergency. It also sets out what happens in hospital for a dislocated shoulder. The sources read for it cover the shoulder and the kneecap.
- What is a joint dislocation?
- What are the signs of a dislocated joint?
- Is a dislocation an emergency?
- What happens in hospital for a dislocated shoulder?
- Where can I read more about the shoulder or kneecap?
- What should I do next?
What is a joint dislocation?
MedlinePlus says dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position [1].
MedlinePlus says the cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport [1].
MedlinePlus lists the ankles, knees and shoulders among the joints that can dislocate [1].
Why is the shoulder an easy joint to dislocate?
AAOS OrthoInfo says the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the human body [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says this advantage also makes the shoulder an easy joint to come out of the socket (dislocate) [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says shoulder dislocations typically occur as the result of a traumatic injury, such as from a fall or motor vehicle accident [2].
What are the signs of a dislocated joint?
MedlinePlus says dislocated joints often are swollen, very painful and visibly out of place [1].
AAOS OrthoInfo lists these symptoms of a dislocated shoulder: deformity, swelling, numbness, weakness, bruising and pain [2].
Can a dislocation be harder to see?
AAOS OrthoInfo says a partial shoulder dislocation, or subluxation, can be harder to detect [2].
Is a dislocation an emergency?
MedlinePlus says a dislocated joint is an emergency [1].
AAOS OrthoInfo says a shoulder dislocation should be considered an emergency injury [2].
The NHS says to get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have dislocated your shoulder [3].
The NHS says a dislocated shoulder needs treatment in hospital, and says not to try to treat it yourself [3].
The NHS says to get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have a dislocated kneecap [4].
The NHS says not to try to put the kneecap back into place yourself [4].
The NHS kneecap page words its advice as “get medical advice as soon as possible”, while MedlinePlus and AAOS OrthoInfo’s shoulder page use the word “emergency” [1][2][4].
What if a kneecap goes back by itself?
The NHS says a dislocated kneecap often moves back into place by itself, and that even if it does, you will still need to get it checked by a doctor [4].
The NHS lines above describe UK care, and the MedlinePlus and AAOS lines describe US care. The lists below say where to go in Singapore.
The list below covers the signs that should not wait for a routine appointment.
Knee
Shoulder
Foot and ankle
What happens in hospital for a dislocated shoulder?
The steps below are AAOS OrthoInfo’s description for the shoulder. For any joint, MedlinePlus says a dislocated joint is an emergency [1].
AAOS OrthoInfo’s shoulder page says an X-ray is necessary to determine if there is a bone injury [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says the normal alignment of the shoulder can usually be restored in an emergency room at the hospital [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says that after the shoulder has been restored to the correct position, a sling is applied to keep the shoulder still [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says physical therapy can be helpful during this period of recovery [2].
What if it is more severe, or keeps happening?
AAOS OrthoInfo’s shoulder page says that in very severe dislocations, such as those that result from motor vehicle accidents, damage to nerves or blood vessels can also occur [2].
AAOS OrthoInfo says that if the shoulder joint is unable to be put back into the socket, or has dislocated multiple times, surgery may be required [2].
How long can recovery from a dislocated shoulder take, and can a shoulder or kneecap dislocate again?
The NHS says it usually takes 6 to 12 weeks to recover from a dislocated shoulder [3].
MedlinePlus says that once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are more likely to dislocate it again [1].
AAOS OrthoInfo says rehabilitation may also help prevent dislocation of the shoulder again in the future [2].
Where can I read more about the shoulder or kneecap?
The urgent-signs lists above still apply to the knee, the shoulder, and the foot and ankle.
- Read more about shoulder dislocation.
- Read about the shoulder care hub.
- Read more about kneecap realignment.
- Read more about MPFL reconstruction.
- Read about sports injuries.
What should I do next?
MedlinePlus says a dislocated joint is an emergency [1]. The NHS says to get medical help as soon as possible if you think you have dislocated your shoulder [3], and to get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have a dislocated kneecap [4]. An assessment does not replace urgent care. For a joint injury that is not settling, or if you are unsure what is wrong, an assessment is a sensible next step. The assessment brings together the patient’s story, an examination and any tests that help, so that the patient and the surgeon can decide together. It looks at the structure involved, the patient as a whole person and the goal they want to return to. An appointment supports an informed decision. It is not a commitment to surgery.
This page provides general information and cannot diagnose an individual condition. OrthoKinetics does not provide emergency or urgent care through this webpage or its WhatsApp contact.
References
- MedlinePlus (NIH). Dislocations. https://www.medlineplus.gov/dislocations.html
- AAOS OrthoInfo. Shoulder Dislocation. https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases–conditions/dislocated-shoulder
- NHS. Dislocated shoulder. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dislocated-shoulder/
- NHS. Dislocated kneecap. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dislocated-kneecap/
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