Physician Spotlight: Shining Light on Commonly Underdiagnosed Conditions in Athletes
Harvey W M Chim, MD, FACS, believes in giving every patient the same high-quality reconstructive care and getting it right the first time around, no matter how…

A dislocation is a separation of two ends of the bones where they meet at a joint. A joint is the place where two bones connect, which allows movement.
A dislocated joint is a joint where the bones are no longer in their normal positions.
Joint dislocation
It may be hard to tell a dislocated joint from a broken bone. Both are emergencies that need first aid treatment.
Most dislocations can be treated in a doctor's office or emergency room. You may be given medicine to make you sleepy and to numb the area. Sometimes, general anesthesia that puts you into a deep sleep is needed.
When treated early, most dislocations do not cause permanent injury.
You should expect that:
Once a joint has been dislocated, it is more likely to happen again. After being treated in the emergency room, you should follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon (a bone and joint doctor).
Dislocations are usually caused by a sudden impact to the joint. This usually occurs following a blow, fall, or other trauma.
A dislocated joint may be:
Nursemaid's elbow, or pulled elbow, is a partial dislocation that is common in toddlers. The main symptom is pain so that the child doesn't want to use the arm. This dislocation can be easily treated in a doctor's office.
First aid steps to take:
Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if the person has any of the following:
To help prevent injuries in children:
To help prevent dislocations in adults:
For all age groups:
Klimke A, Furin M, Overberger R. Prehospital immobilization. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 46.
Mascioli AA. Acute dislocations. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 60.
Naples RM, Ufberg JW. Management of common dislocations. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 49.
Harvey W M Chim, MD, FACS, believes in giving every patient the same high-quality reconstructive care and getting it right the first time around, no matter how…
Kevin Farmer, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon and a professor at the University of Florida Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. He also serves as a…