Have you dislocated a joint? Let's learn about dislocation!

Have you ever had a joint in your arm or leg suddenly move or become unusable while playing or after a minor accident? We usually call this a 'dislocated joint'. In medical terms, we call this a dislocation . This is a very painful and frightening experience. That's why it's important to be aware of this.

What exactly is a dislocation?

Simply put, a joint is where two bones in our body connect. Think of places like our shoulders, elbows, and knees. These joints are what allow us to bend, extend, and move our limbs.

A dislocation , or a sprained joint, is when a force causes the bones in a joint to move from where they should be, moving back and forth. This can often happen from an accident, a fall, or during sports.

When a joint is sprained in this way, it is very painful and can make the joint unusable. Not only that, but it can also damage the delicate tissues around the joint. This means:

• Muscles can be pulled or torn.
• Nerves can be pinched or damaged.
• Tendons can be damaged.
• Blood vessels can be damaged.

What are the main types of joint jumps?

Doctors divide joint dislocations into two main types, depending on how far the bones have moved out of their normal positions. Let's take a look at what those are.

What are the symptoms of joint pops and what are the most common joints pops?

A joint popping is a common occurrence. Although any joint in our body can pop, there are a few joints that are most commonly affected by this condition.

• Fingers
• Shoulders
• Knees
• Elbows
• Hips
• Jaw

If you have a sprained ankle, these are the most common symptoms you will see:

• Unbearable, severe pain .
• Swelling at the joint.
• Seeing bruising or skin discoloration.
• The joint looks different, stretched out of place.
• The inability to move, bend, or use that joint.
• Feeling as if the joint is weak or unstable .

These symptoms may vary depending on the sprained joint and the nature of the damage.

Causes and risk factors for a sprained ankle

A joint can be sprained by anything that has enough force to move the bones of a joint back and forth from their positions.

Main reasons:

• Car accidents: The forceful impact of car accidents can cause joints to pop.
• Sports accidents: This risk is especially high in contact sports like rugby and football.
• Falls: A joint can be sprained, whether it's from a fall from a height or a simple slip and fall.

Who is at higher risk?

Although anyone can develop this condition, some people are at a slightly higher risk.

• For those who play contact sports.
• For people over 65 years of age: As you age, muscle weakness and the risk of falls increase.
• People with certain medical conditions that weaken the tissues (ligaments, tendons) around joints, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome .

Complications that can occur due to a sprained ankle

A sprained joint is not just a bone moving around. It can also cause damage to the surrounding tissues.

• Muscle strains
• Ligament and tendon sprains
• Nerve damage
• Damaged blood vessels
• Bone fractures

Doctor, how do you diagnose this?

When you go to the hospital, the first thing the doctor will do is examine you (physical exam). The injured joint and the surrounding area will be carefully examined. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and what you were doing before the accident.

Then, you can do a few tests like this to see exactly what damage has occurred inside.

• X-ray: To see if the bone is broken and how far the joint has slipped.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: To check for damage to soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments around the joint.
• CT (Computed Tomography) scan: To see more clearly the damage to the bones.
• Ultrasound scan

How do you treat a sprained ankle?

The most important and first treatment for a dislocated joint is to put the joint back in its original position. Doctors call this `relocation` or `closed reduction`. The doctor carefully pulls and pushes the dislocated joint back into place.

Because this is very painful, your doctor may give you a painkiller or a sedative to make you a little more sleepy. Sometimes, anesthesia may also be used. X-rays will be taken before and after the joint is realigned to check for any damage to the bones.

After the joint is realigned, several more treatments are needed until it is completely healed.

• Immobilization of the joint: The doctor may recommend a splint , sling , or brace to keep the joint immobile until it heals.
• Medication: Your doctor will prescribe appropriate medication to reduce pain and swelling. Do not take painkillers continuously for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor.
• Rest:It is very important to avoid any activities that put pressure on or use the injured joint.

When is surgery necessary?

In most cases, surgery is not necessary. However, if the joint is dislocated and there is significant damage to the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments, surgery may be needed to repair them. Also, if the joint cannot be put back into place with a closed reduction, surgery may be needed to repair it.

How long does it take to heal? Can I jump again?

The recovery time varies depending on the sprained joint and the severity of the injury.

For example, if you sprain a finger, it can take about three weeks to get back to normal. But if you sprain a large joint like your shoulder, it can take several months or even longer to fully heal. Your doctor will explain this to you.

The most important thing is to avoid sports and heavy lifting until the joint is completely healed. Otherwise, if you start doing such activities too early, the risk of re-injuring the joint is much higher.

If you sprain a joint, especially a knee or shoulder, once, you are more likely to sprain it again in the future. Therefore, wearing a protective device such as a brace when exercising or playing sports can reduce this risk. It is also important to get physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint.

What can we do to prevent a joint from popping?

Sprains are often the result of accidents, so they cannot be prevented 100%. However, there are a few things we can do to reduce the risk.

When playing sports and exercising...

• Wear the correct safety equipment for the sport you are playing.
• If you experience pain in a joint while exercising or playing sports, stop "playing through the pain."
• Warm up your body well before exercising. Cool down your body well after exercising.
• Give your body the time it needs to rest and recover after strenuous activity.

For general safety...

• If you have unnecessary items in your home or workplace that could cause you to slip and fall, remove them and keep them tidy.
• When picking up something from above , use a suitable tool instead of climbing on chairs or tables.
• If you have difficulty walking or are at high risk of falling, use a cane/walker.

Things to ask your doctor

When you see the doctor, don't forget to ask these questions. That way, you can get a complete understanding.

• What type of dislocation do I have? (Complete or Subluxation?)
• What other treatments do I need?
• How long will it take to fully recover?
• How long should the joint be immobilized (in a splint/sling)?
• Will I need surgery?
• When can I start playing sports and exercising again?

A sprained ankle is a scary experience. It can be a shock to see or feel a sprained ankle. But the best thing to do is not to panic and go straight to the emergency room (ETU) of a hospital without trying to fix it yourself. The good news is that most people recover completely with proper treatment and can return to their normal activities and sports.