The shoulder joint is the joint with the widest range of motion in the body and is prone to injury, one of which is dislocation. Dislocation is an emergency that requires immediate assistance.
Dislocation is a condition when the bone comes out or shifts from its normal position at the joint. All joints in the body can be dislocated, especially when there is an impact due to a driving accident or a fall while playing sports.
These dislocations most commonly occur in the shoulder and fingers, although dislocations can occur in any joint, including the knee, elbow, jaw, and hip.
What must be done if you experience a dislocation, the assistance that can be done is by installing arm slings so that the muscles in the elbow and arm areas can rest first.
Symptoms or signs of a dislocation:
- The pain gets worse when you move the joint
- Tingling or numbness in the area around the joint
- Swelling and bruising in the joint area
- Deformity of the joint that appears abnormal or out of place
Initial treatment for dislocation:
- Rest and immobilize the injured joint
- Cold compresses to reduce swelling and internal bleeding
- Take pain relievers if needed
- Immediately seek medical help to a doctor or hospital
Never try to massage if a dislocation occurs or insert a joint yourself if you don't have experience because there is a risk of nerve and blood vessel injury. Take it immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.
An orthopedic specialist will help restore a displaced joint under anesthesia so that no pain will be felt by the patient.
After experiencing a dislocation it is not uncommon for the soft tissue supporting the shoulder to be torn on a mild, moderate or severe scale, causing the joint to become unstable and recurrent dislocations can occur.
What happens if the dislocation is not handled properly?
- Complications can occur such as damage to joints, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and ligaments.
- Increased risk of reinjuring the dislocated joint, which can lead to further disability.
Things that can be done to avoid repeated dislocations:
- Avoid collisions at the site after a dislocation occurs
- routinely do light exercises to strengthen the muscles around the shoulders and upper back
- wear shoulder protection whenever possible
- avoid lifting weights that are too heavy
Article written by dr. Reygais Razman, Sp.OT, M.Kes (Orthopedic & Traumatology Specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital).