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What Are the Treatments?

Because it may be difficult to tell whether the bone is broken or dislocated, it's important to get emergency medical assistance. Someone trained in first aid can help stabilize the injury until an emergency team arrives.

First Aid

To stabilize the injury:

• Check the victim's airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing, CPR, or bleeding control.
• Keep the victim still and provide reassurance.
• If the skin is broken by a fractured bone, or if you suspect there may be a broken bone under the skin, take steps to prevent infection. Don't breathe on the wound, and do not wash or probe it. Cover it with sterile dressings before immobilizing the injury.
• Splint or sling the injury in the position in which you found it. Be sure to immobilize the area both above and below the injured joint and to check the circulation of the affected area after immobilizing. Apply ice packs to ease pain and swelling. Do not try to move it back into place as this can damage the joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves.
• To check circulation, either check the wrist pulse or press firmly on the skin in the affected area. It should turn white, then pink up in two seconds.
• To help prevent shock, lay the victim flat, then elevate the feet about 12 inches. Cover the victim with a coat or blanket. Do not move the victim if you suspect a head, back, or leg injury.
• Get medical help.

Do Not:

• DO NOT move the victim unless the injured area is completely immobilized.
• DO NOT move the victim if there is a chance of a neck injury.
• DO NOT move the victim with an injured hip, pelvis, or upper leg unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must move the victim immediately, use the "clothes drag" method.
• DO NOT attempt to straighten a misshapen bone or joint or to change its position.
• DO NOT test a misshapen bone or joint for loss of function.
• DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth.

Call immediately for medical assistance if:

• the victim has a dislocation, broken bone, or severe bleeding.
• you cannot completely immobilize the injury at the scene by yourself.

A medical doctor should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of the injury.

When treated properly most dislocated joints will return to normal function in several weeks with rest and rehabilitation. Some joints, like the shoulder and kneecap, are at an increased risk of recurrent dislocations. Surgery may be necessary if you have weak ligaments and the joint tends to dislocate frequently.