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Joint dislocation

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 28 Mar 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • characteristic posturing of joint
  • pain
  • inability to move joint
  • tenderness
  • swelling
  • sciatic nerve injury with hip dislocation
  • injury to the femoral artery, vein, or nerve with hip dislocation
  • concomitant injury with hip dislocation
  • cruciate ligament injury with patellar dislocation
  • meniscal tears with patellar dislocation
  • ligamentous injuries of the knee with patellar dislocation
  • patellar or quadriceps tendon rupture with patellar dislocation
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • ecchymosis with finger dislocation
  • hemarthrosis with patellar dislocation
Full details

Risk factors

  • sports-related activities
  • motor vehicle accident (hip dislocation)
  • ligamentous laxity
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • males between adolescence and 30 years of age
  • women ages 61-80 years (shoulder dislocation)
  • prior history of joint instability
  • skeletal or muscular dysplasia
  • high Q angle (patellar dislocation)
  • external tibial torsion (patellar dislocation)
  • patella alta (patellar dislocation)
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • plain x-rays of the shoulder
  • plain x-rays of the finger
  • plain x-rays of the knee
  • plain x-rays of the elbow
  • plain x-rays of the pelvis
Full details

Tests to consider

  • MRI scan of the knee
  • MRI scan of the shoulder
  • CT scan of the elbow
  • CT scan of the pelvis
  • arteriogram of the knee or shoulder
Full details

Emerging tests

  • ultrasound of the shoulder

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

shoulder dislocation

finger dislocation

patellar dislocation

elbow dislocation

hip dislocation

Contributors

Authors

Thomas M. DeBerardino, MD

The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group

San Antonio

TX

Disclosures

TMD is a paid consultant and receives royalties from Arthrex, Inc. He serves on the Data Safety Monitoring Board for Aesculap and is a paid consultant for Arthrex, Inc., Emovi, ConMed, Icarus, JRF, and LinX Robotics. He has patents with Arthrex, Inc. TMD declares that none of these relationships relate to this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr Thomas M. DeBerardino would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Paul Novakovich and Dr Brent Ponce, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

PN and BP declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Daniel J. Solomon, MD

Co-director of Orthopedic Sports and Shoulder Service

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Naval Medical Center San Diego

San Diego

CA

Disclosures

DJS declares that he has no competing interests.

Matthew T. Provencher, MD

Assistant Director

Orthopaedic Shoulder and Sports Surgery

Naval Medical Center San Diego

San Diego

CA

Disclosures

MTP declares that he has no competing interests.

Peter Cundy, MBBS, FRACS

Head of Orthopaedic Surgery

Women's & Children's Hospital

Adelaide

South Australia

Australia

Disclosures

PC declares that he has no competing interests.

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