Dislocations: Sports Safety

Dislocation is an extremely painful injury resulting from a blow to a joint between your bones.  This is a particular risk in contact sports.  Medical intervention is a must when dislocations occur.  Knowing how to identify and treat a dislocation until help arrives can prevent the condition from worsening.  In the meantime, take the appropriate steps to reduce the risk of a dislocation happening in the first place.

What Happens in Dislocation?
Dislocations differ from a broken bone in that the bone remains in one piece.  The end of the bone, however, moves from its normal position within a joint.  This causes a temporary deformity and sometimes can cause immobilization of the joint. 

Dislocation can occur in the larger joints, such as shoulders, elbows or knees, as well as the smaller joints such as fingers and toes.

Prevention
Avoiding dislocations is a matter of awareness and wearing the right gear.  You can't stop contact sports such as football, basketball, and soccer from allowing hard collisions between players.  Preventing injuries does, however, mean reducing the force of impact.  This can be done in three areas:

1. Awareness. Players should be well rested and alert.  The ability to recognize and avoid hazards on the field, whether from an opponent or a stationary obstacle, is critical.
2. Equipment. Gear should fit properly.  Shoes should be comfortable and supportive.  Helmets should never block vision.  Uniforms should fit well and not restrict movement.
3. Protective Gear. Pads and helmets are a must.  Protective gear buffers the force of any impact.

Identifying and Treating a Dislocation
Qualified medical attention is necessary to safely treat a dislocation.  Only a trained medic can accurately determine the extent of damage as well as the proper treatment.  If it looks like a player has a dislocation, the injured joint must be stabilized. 

Dislocation may have occurred if a joint area is:

• Discolored
• Swollen
• Misshapen
• Limited in mobility
• Intensely painful
• Incapable of bearing weight

If a dislocation is likely, the priorities are to seek help and minimize the risk of further injury.  Take these steps until help arrives:

• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency assistance number.
• Keep the victim still if his or her head, back, or legs were injured.
• Splint the joint in its current position.  Attempting to reposition the joint could cause additional damage.
• Ease swelling with ice.
• Rinse the wound gently if the victim's skin is cut. 
• Treat for shock, if possible, by lying the victim flat, elevating his or her feet 12 inches, and covering him or her with warm layers.

Joint dislocation is a serious injury, common to most contact sports.  Prevention is a simple matter of awareness, as well as wearing the appropriate gear and safety equipment to reduce the force of impact.  With a little preparation, players can finish the game on the field rather than in the emergency room.