How to Recover From Luxation

Luxation is the complete dislocation of a joint such as the elbow, knee or shoulder. This is can be extremely painful and usually result in temporary deformation and immobility of the limb. Treatment of the dislocation can involve manual, non-surgical manipulation of the limb or a surgical procedure to move the bone back into place. Surgery may also involve the insertion of metal pins to hold the bone in place and lessen the chances of a repeat dislocation. Recovery from these injuries can be slow but correct practice can make the process quicker and more comfortable.

Things You'll Need

• Stationary exercise bicycle
• Ice pack
• Sling
• Splint
• Anti-inflammatory medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Adhere to all instructions given by health care professionals. There can be a large number of factors involved in deciding how treatment and recovery should proceed. The correct procedure for one injury can be quite different for another.

• 2

  Use a sling and splint to keep the joint immobilized for 10-14 days after treatment. This is the typical time recommended for immobilization but consult with your health care professional.

• 3

  Elevate the damaged joint whenever possible. Apply ice or cold packs to it for 20-minute periods to help reduce the swelling.

• 4

  Take pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory medications according to your doctor's instructions.

• 5

  Practice very gentle range-of-motion exercises once the immobilization period is over. Flex and extend the damaged the damaged limb. Practice gripping with the hand or toes. Carry out these exercises on a daily basis. Typically you should try and work up to three sets of 10 exercises but again, follow instructions from a professional on which exercises to do and how many to attempt. In consultation with a physical therapist, begin to move from range-of-motion exercises to strength-building exercises to restore the joint to full strength.

• 6

  Develop strength in the afflicted limb by peddling a stationary bicycle using your arm or leg. Peddle gently and practice only so long as it is comfortable to do so.