Joint Dislocations

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Dislocation Basics - Joint Uncoupling 101

  • Dislocation: Total loss of articular congruity between joint surfaces.
  • Subluxation: Partial loss of articular congruity.
  • Types:
    • Traumatic: Most common; due to injury.
    • Pathological: Underlying joint disease (e.g., infection, RA).
    • Congenital: Present at birth (e.g., DDH).
  • Terminology:
    • Acute: Recent.
    • Chronic: Unreduced > 3 weeks.
    • Recurrent: Multiple episodes.
    • Open: Associated skin breach.
    • Closed: Skin intact.

⭐ Always assess neurovascular status distal to a dislocation, as injury is common.

Shoulder Dislocation - Arm Adrift Antics

  • Types & Mechanisms:
    • Anterior (>95%): Abduction, external rotation, extension. Arm abducted & externally rotated.

      ⭐ Axillary nerve is the most commonly injured nerve in anterior shoulder dislocation.

    • Posterior (rare): Adduction, internal rotation, flexion. Arm adducted & internally rotated.
    • Inferior (Luxatio erecta): Arm overhead.
  • Clinical: Deformity (loss of deltoid contour), pain, ↓ROM.
  • X-rays: AP, axillary/Y-view.
    • Lesions: Bankart (anteroinferior labrum), Hill-Sachs (posterolateral humeral head).
  • Management:
    • Reduction (Kocher, Stimson). Immobilization.
    • 📌 ALAS: Anterior Luxation Axillary nerve Stimson.
  • Complications: Axillary nerve injury, recurrence, rotator cuff tear, adhesive capsulitis. oka

Elbow Dislocation - Olecranon Outbursts

  • Types: Posterior (most common, FOOSH with elbow extension), anterior (rare), divergent.
  • Clinical: Obvious deformity, severe pain, swelling. Elbow held in flexion.
  • X-rays (AP/Lat): Check for associated fractures (radial head, coronoid process).

    Terrible Triad: Elbow dislocation + radial head fracture + coronoid process fracture; indicates significant instability.

  • Management: Prompt closed reduction. Check neurovascular status (median/ulnar nerves, brachial artery). Immobilize, then early mobilization.
  • Complications: Neurovascular injury, stiffness (myositis ossificans), recurrent instability.

Hip Dislocation - Femur's Forced Exit

  • Types & Mechanism:
    • Posterior: Most common (dashboard). Limb: flexed, adducted, int. rotated (📌 PIPA).
    • Anterior: Forced abduction. Limb: flexed, abducted, ext. rotated (📌 ABE).
  • Clinical: Severe pain, ↓ ROM.
  • Investigations: X-rays (AP pelvis, lat. hip). Check associated #.
  • Management: Emergency reduction (Allis). Post-reduction CT. Neurovascular check (sciatic).

    ⭐ Sciatic nerve injury (common peroneal) common in posterior dislocation.

  • Complications: Sciatic nerve palsy, AVN femoral head, OA, recurrence.

Avascular necrosis of femoral head after hip dislocation

Knee & Patella Dislocation - Popliteal Perils

  • Knee (Tibiofemoral) Dislocation: ⚠️ Vascular emergency!
    • Types: Ant, Post, Med, Lat, Rotatory.
    • Popliteal artery injury in ~30-40%.
    • Clinical: Deformity, pain, instability. Check pulses!
    • Ix: X-ray, Angio/Doppler if vascular injury.
    • Mx: Reduce, vascular repair, ExFix/surgery.
    • Complications: Popliteal art/nerve injury, compartment syndrome.
  • Patellar Dislocation: Usually lateral.
    • Clinical: Lateral patella, pain, 'giving way'.
    • Ix: X-ray (sunrise view).
    • Mx: Reduction (medial pressure + knee extension), immobilize, physio (VMO).
    • Complications: Recurrence, chondromalacia. ⭐ > Posterior knee dislocations carry the highest risk of popliteal artery injury.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Anterior shoulder dislocation: most common; risk of axillary nerve injury.
  • Posterior shoulder dislocation: from seizures/electric shock; see light bulb sign on X-ray.
  • Posterior hip dislocation: sciatic nerve injury; limb shortened, adducted, internally rotated.
  • Anterior hip dislocation: limb presents abducted and externally rotated.
  • Elbow dislocation (posterior common): brachial artery, median/ulnar nerve at risk.
  • Knee dislocation: true vascular emergency; suspect popliteal artery injury.
  • Lunate dislocation: most common carpal dislocation; median nerve symptoms, spilled teacup sign.

Practice Questions: Joint Dislocations

Test your understanding with these related questions

A patient fell off a bicycle and now complains of pain around the hip, with shortening of the affected limb. The hip is held in a position of flexion, adduction, and internal rotation. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Flashcards: Joint Dislocations

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Anterior axillary fold is at a lower level on the dislocated side, seen in _____ test for anterior shoulder dislocation

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Anterior axillary fold is at a lower level on the dislocated side, seen in _____ test for anterior shoulder dislocation

Bryant's

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