Anterior Dislocation Protocols

An anterior dislocation is a type of injury that affects the joints in parts of your body, most commonly the shoulder, but also the elbow, hip, knee or ankle. It occurs when the bone of a joint is moved out of socket and is signified by pain, swelling, numbness and bruising in the affected area. The protocol for anterior dislocations consists of immediate medical attention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Immediate Procedures

• Treat a dislocated joint in the same manner as a broken bone. To avoid further injuries, do not try to reposition or move the joint. Only a medical professional should move the joint back into place. Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and pain, keep the joint stable and seek medical attention immediately. Sometimes, a joint may pop back into place on its own, but this does not indicate recovery. It can take weeks for the injury to heal and not receiving medical treatment can cause further damage to the joint. Accordingly, it is imperative to see a doctor, even if the injury seems to correct itself.

Treatment

• The treatment for an anterior dislocation involves surgical and nonsurgical methods depending on the severity of the injury. A doctor may decide to let the injury heal as is or she may perform a reduction, a procedure that involves pulling and pushing the joint back into its socket. This is a painful procedure, and anesthesia or muscle relaxers are commonly administered to ease the discomfort. After the joint is repositioned, you must wear some type of brace or sling for several weeks to keep it in place. If the dislocation is severe, surgical repositioning of the joint may be necessary, but in most cases nonsurgical methods are effective.

Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation for an anterior dislocation is based on whether the treatment is surgical or nonsurgical. Basic rehabilitation involves working with a physical or occupational therapist to slowly regain movement in the affected joint. Therapy sessions generally involve range-of-motion exercises consisting of easy movements that advance in difficulty over several weeks. A successful rehabilitation program should help you reestablish smooth joint movements without pain within four to six weeks. Thereafter, your therapist should prescribe a treatment program to continue at home. Generally, rehabilitation after surgery is similar, except controlling swelling and pain and allowing more time for postsurgical recovery is a priority before physical therapy begins.