Dislocations

Question 1

What is a dislocation?

Answer 1

Dislocation = complete joint disruption

Question 2

What is a subluxation?

Answer 2

Subluxation = partial dislocation – not fully out of joint

Question 3

What are some associated injuries?

Answer 3

neurovascular injury, vascular injury

Question 4

How is the diagnosis made?

Answer 4

Clinical and radiological diagnosis

Question 5

How is the dislocation repaired?

Answer 5

Manipulation an repositioning

Sometimes will require surgery, at least analgesia – very painful as muscles will contract! May require muscle relaxation – anaesthetic

Question 6

What are some common dislocations?

Answer 6

Question 7

What does this radiograph show?

Answer 7

A posterior dislocation of shoulder

• This is very rare of the shoulder, lightbulb sign on xray is key point
• Fit, electrical shock is common of posterior dislocation
• Examiners like to ask about posterior dislocation

Question 8

What is important to remember about joints? and manipulation of dislocations?

Answer 8

That there is often important structures near joints: such as nerves.

Always do a neurological exam before repositioning a joint so that you can assess nerve damage before and after (save yourself from gettin sued)

Question 9

What does this radiograph show?

Answer 9

Knee dislocation

Question 10

What does this radiograph show?

Answer 10

Hip dislocation

Question 11

What does this radiograph show?

Answer 11

Elbow dislocation