Dislocations are commonly a result of trauma causing the joint to move out of its normal position and relationship with other bones. Dislocations can be accompanied by fractures. Sometimes the dislocation causes an obvious deformity and can be pulled or pops back into position on it’s own. In some situations, the joint cannot be pulled back into position or keeps falling out of position due to tissues such as bone fragments blocking the reduction or due to torn ligaments or fracture through supporting bones. In this situation, you may need to have some form of anaesthetic to realign the bones in the Emergency department or operating theatre or in some cases, the joint being opened and surgically stabilised.
