Dislocations are an injury to a joint in which the ends of your bones
are forced from their normal positions. This injury then deforms and
immobilizes the joint. It is most common in shoulder and finger joints
(2021). When a dislocation occurs, the person feels pain and is
unable to then move the joint, this deviates from the definition of
health in that the body can no longer perform as intended.
Classifying dislocations is a bit of a process, according to the
Orthopaedic Trauma Association, two main identifiers are used, the
exact joint involved and the direction of the distal bone relative to
the proximal bone. This classification system uses a number system,
the first number represents the body part, while the second number
"0" is for dislocation. An example would be "30", which represents a
hip dislocation. There are then subtypes that have a designation 1-5,
1 = anterior, 2 = posterior, 3 = lateral, 4 = medial, and 5 = other
(2007). These designations help medical professionals determine a
diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms associated with dislocations can be visibly
deformed or out of place, swollen or discolored, intensely painful,
and immovable. Some of these signs can overlap with fractures, so it
is important to visit a doctor if any signs or symptoms arise. Testing
can be done to determine the extent of the injury, such as an MRI or
an X-Ray. An X-Ray helps to confirm a dislocation and look for any
signs of fracturing, while an MRI can determine if there is any tissue
damage surrounding the dislocation.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2021,
October 16). Dislocation. Mayo
Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dislocation/
symptoms-causes/syc-20354113#:~:text=A%20dislocation%20is
%20an%20injury,common%20in%20shoulders%20and%20fingers.
Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins S103. (2007). OTA
Dislocations. https://ota.org/media/23187/97042.17Dislocatn-
S103-S128.pdf
