ConditionInjuries & poisoning
Joint Dislocation (Dislocated Joint)
A joint dislocation happens when the bones that meet at a joint are forced completely out of their normal position, usually by a fall, sports collision or car crash. The joint looks deformed, is very painful and cannot be moved normally. Shoulders, fingers, kneecaps and elbows dislocate most often. A dislocation needs prompt medical care to put the bones back (reduction) and check for fractures and damage to nerves and blood vessels. Most joints recover in weeks to months with rehabilitation.
Also called: Dislocated joint, luxation, subluxation (partial dislocation), popped-out joint
At a glance
- What it is
- Bones at a joint pushed fully out of position; a partial slip is a subluxation.
- Common sites
- Shoulder, fingers, kneecap, elbow; hip and knee dislocations are rarer and more serious.
- Signs
- Obvious deformity, severe pain, inability to move the joint, swelling, sometimes numbness.
- First aid
- Keep it still in the position found, apply ice, and get to urgent care or the ER.
- Treatment
- Reduction by a clinician, X-rays, immobilization, then physical therapy; surgery for some.
- Recovery
- Typically 2 to 16 weeks depending on the joint.
When to get help
Call 911 or go to the ER
- A dislocated hip or knee, or any dislocation after a high-energy injury such as a car crash: call 911 or your local emergency number
- A dislocated joint with a cold, pale or blue limb, absent pulse, or numbness or tingling below the joint
- Bone poking through the skin or an open wound over the joint
- Suspected neck or back injury: do not move the person
See a doctor within a day or two
- A visibly deformed shoulder, elbow, finger, kneecap or ankle that cannot be moved
- A joint that "popped out" and went back in, with ongoing pain, swelling or weakness
Book a routine appointment
- Repeated episodes of a joint slipping out or feeling unstable
- Stiffness or weakness weeks after a dislocation
First aid for a dislocated joint
- Do not try to put it back yourself. Forcing a joint can damage nerves, blood vessels, cartilage or cause a fracture. (A kneecap that relocates on its own when the leg is straightened is an exception, but still needs checking.)
- Keep it still. Support the limb in the position you found it, using a sling, splint or pillows.
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for up to 20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain.
- Remove rings and watches from the affected hand before swelling starts.
- Get medical care promptly. Reduction is easier and less painful before muscles spasm and swelling builds.
- Do not eat or drink in case sedation is needed.
Common dislocations
| Joint | Typical cause | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder | Fall on an outstretched arm, sports | Most common large-joint dislocation; usually forward (anterior); high recurrence in young people |
| Finger | Ball sports, jamming | Very common; often the middle joint |
| Kneecap (patella) | Twisting with the foot planted | Common in teenagers, especially girls; kneecap slips to the outside |
| Elbow | Fall on an outstretched hand | Can be associated with fractures and nerve injury |
| Hip | Car crashes, or after hip replacement | Emergency; risk of bone death and nerve injury |
| Knee (tibiofemoral) | High-energy trauma | Emergency; high risk of artery damage |
| Jaw | Yawning, wide mouth opening | Cannot close the mouth |
In young children, a pulled elbow (nursemaid's elbow) occurs when a child is lifted or swung by the hand. The child refuses to use the arm. A clinician can usually slip it back quickly.
Symptoms
- a visibly deformed or out-of-place joint
- intense pain, especially with movement
- inability to move the joint
- swelling and bruising
- numbness, tingling or weakness below the joint if nerves are stretched
- a pale or cold limb if blood vessels are compressed
Dislocation vs subluxation vs fracture
- Dislocation: bones completely separated.
- Subluxation: a partial slip that may go back in on its own, often felt as a "clunk" with pain afterward.
- Fracture: a broken bone. Fractures can occur with dislocations (fracture-dislocation) and look similar, which is why X-rays are essential.
Diagnosis
A clinician examines the joint and checks circulation, sensation and movement below it. X-rays confirm the direction of dislocation and look for fractures before and after reduction. CT or MRI may follow to assess fractures, cartilage, ligament or labral tears. Ultrasound or CT angiography is used to check arteries after knee dislocations.
Treatment
Reduction
The bones are guided back into place, often with pain relief, a nerve block or sedation. Relief is usually immediate once the joint is back in.
Immobilization
- Shoulder: a sling for 1 to 3 weeks.
- Finger: a splint or buddy taping for 1 to 3 weeks.
- Elbow: a splint for a short time, then early movement to avoid stiffness.
- Kneecap: a brace for a few weeks.
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy restores range of motion, then strengthens muscles that stabilize the joint. This is essential to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed for:
- dislocations that cannot be reduced without an operation
- associated fractures, nerve or blood vessel injury
- torn ligaments or labrum, especially in young athletes with shoulder dislocations
- recurrent dislocations
Recurrence and loose joints
After a first shoulder dislocation, recurrence rates are high in people under 25, sometimes more than half. People with joint hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are more prone to dislocations and subluxations, often with little force.
Recovery time
| Joint | Typical return to normal activities |
|---|---|
| Finger | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Shoulder | 12 to 16 weeks for sports |
| Elbow | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Kneecap | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Hip | 2 to 3 months or longer |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my joint is dislocated?
A dislocated joint usually looks visibly out of place, is very painful, swells quickly and cannot be moved normally. You may feel numbness or tingling below it. Get urgent medical care and keep the joint still in the meantime.
Can you pop a dislocated joint back in yourself?
It is not recommended. Trying to force a joint back can damage nerves, blood vessels or cartilage, or cause a fracture. A clinician should reduce it after checking with an X-ray, usually with pain relief.
What is the difference between a dislocation and a subluxation?
A dislocation is a complete separation of the bones at a joint. A subluxation is a partial dislocation, where the joint slips out of place and often slides back in by itself. Both need assessment for damage to ligaments and cartilage.
How long does a dislocated joint take to heal?
It depends on the joint. A dislocated finger often heals in 3 to 6 weeks, while a dislocated shoulder may need 3 to 4 months before returning to sports. Physical therapy shortens recovery and lowers the risk of re-dislocation.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo): Dislocated shoulder; Elbow dislocation
- MedlinePlus: Dislocation
- NHS: Dislocated shoulder
- American College of Emergency Physicians: Emergency care for injuries
- American Red Cross: First aid for bone, joint and muscle injuries