Dislocations
Disease Information
In-Depth
What is dislocation?
Our bones and cartilage are connected with flexible bands of fibrous tissue, called ligaments. When extreme force is put on a ligament, the ends of two connected bones can separate, causing a dislocation. Ligaments also bind the bones in a joint together. Stress on joint ligaments can lead to dislocation of the joint.
What causes dislocation?
Dislocations often occur while playing sports, but any extreme force to the ligaments, like during a fall, can cause dislocation.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling in the injured area
- Difficulty using or moving the injured area in a normal manner
- Deformity of the dislocated area
- Warmth, bruising or redness in the injured area
