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Dislocation is a permanent or temporary loss of contact between the articular surfaces and the rupture of the capsule and ligaments. The type of dislocation determines the direction of displacement of the peripheral end of the joint.
We divide dislocations into simple and complicated ones. Complications include damage to the nerves and vessels in the vicinity of the damaged joint.
There are also dislocations with articular fractures and these injuries constitute a serious treatment problem, as they require surgical treatment with anatomical reconstruction of the articular surface.
Bones are joined together by joints. The joint is formed by the ends of the bones covered with smooth cartilage to facilitate gliding. From the outside, they are covered with a strong membrane, which is called an articular capsule. It is made of a strong outer fibrous membrane and an inner synovial membrane that secrete synovial fluid, which facilitates the glide of the articular surfaces. The whole thing is reinforced with strong ligaments running outside the fibrous membrane. Injury may lead to rupture of the articular capsule and displacement of the articular surfaces (joint dislocation). The term dislocation is the total displacement of the articular surfaces in relation to each other. It is accompanied by the rupture of the joint capsule and the ligaments that strengthen it. The dislocated joint is distorted and it is painful to try to move it.
Except traumatic dislocations there are other types of dislocations.
• Congenital dislocations, e.g., congenital dislocation of the hip, is characterized by displacement of the articular surfaces but without disruption of the articular capsule. In this case, the process leading to dislocation takes quite a long time, therefore the joint capsule is stretched rather than torn.
• Pathological dislocations – in their course, the articular surfaces are damaged, e.g. by an inflammatory process (tuberculosis, syphilis, hematogenous joint inflammation in infants).
Traumatic dislocations are the most common. The following are particularly vulnerable to them: shoulder joint, finger joints, elbow joints, hip joints and mandibular joints. Dislocations of other joints are extremely rare. Traumatic dislocations require quick set-up, preferably in a trauma center, always after taking an X-ray. Postponing the attitude may lead to significant changes that may affect the later function of the joint.
In addition, a dislocated dislocation for some time can induce changes that hinder or even make it impossible to set. It is then necessary to operate the joint, the final result of which, in terms of joint function, is questionable. During transport, the limb is immobilized, preferably in a position in which the patient holds it.