TYPES OF INJURIES

1. BLISTERS
What is blister?
A blister is a painful skin condition where fluid fills a space
between layers of skin. They form when something — like too-tight
shoes — repeatedly rubs against your skin. These fluid-filled bubbles
are a pain, but you can treat them easily at home.

Your skin consists of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and
subcutaneous (below the skin) fat. A blister forms under the
epidermis as a fluid-filled sac. Typically, it may be filled with clear
liquid or blood, depending on the injury that damaged your skin.
Blisters may be painful or itchy. If a blister gets infected, it will fill with
milky-white pus. Blisters most often show up on the feet or hands, but
they can appear anywhere on the body.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS

What causes blisters?

You can get blisters in several different ways, including some diseases. The most common types of blisters
include:

a)Blood blisters: You can get blood blisters when something pinches your skin. Instead of clear liquid,
blood floods the area from broken blood vessels and damage to the lower layers of the skin. The
blood pools and forms a blister.
b) Friction blisters: Caused by rubbing on the skin, friction blisters form when clear fluid builds up in the
upper layers of skin. Many people get friction blisters from walking too much in poor-fitting shoes or
by not wearing socks. You can also get them on your hands from holding things like shovels or other
tools.
c) Heat blisters: You can get these blisters from burns or sunburns. They may also form after you warm
up from frostbite. Blistering skin is part of a second-degree burn.
TREATMENT

How do I treat blisters?

Blisters generally heal on their own within a few days. You can do a few things at home to make them more
comfortable:

 Wash the area gently with a mild soap.

 Apply antibacterial cream or ointment.
 Cover the blister with a bandage or gauze.
 Be sure to change the bandage at least once a day. And resist the temptation to pop or break a
blister or peel it off. The skin on the blister protects deeper layers of skin from infection.

PREVENTION
How can I prevent a blister?
 You have several options for preventing blisters. Most involve preparation and caution. Preventing blisters
depends on the type of blister:

a) Friction blisters: Friction blisters result from repeated rubbing. To prevent them:

Make sure your shoes fit well and do not rub.

Break in new shoes before wearing them for extended periods.
Wear gloves to protect your hands if you plan on doing a lot of manual labor.
Wear properly fitting clothes to prevent chafing that can lead to blisters on other parts of your body.

b) Blood blisters: These blisters usually develop when something pinches part of your skin. They
typically happen on the hands. It’s harder to prevent them, but take these steps:

Stay alert when using tools or things that can pinch.

Wear gloves when working with pruners, strong pliers or in other tight situations.
c) Heat blisters: Heat blisters can result from a burn or when your skin gets too hot as you recover from
frostbite. To prevent them:

Use sunscreen if you plan to be in the sun for an extended period.

Be extra careful when handling hot items or working around a fire.
Wear weather-appropriate clothing to avoid frostbite. If your skin gets frostbitten, slowly raise your
body temperature using lukewarm water.

How long does it take blisters to heal?

Most blisters heal naturally on their own in a few days. Be sure to bandage the blister and wear different
shoes while it heals. If you have blisters from burns or frostbite, or you think your blisters could be infected,
consult your healthcare provider.
When should I see a doctor about blisters?

You should see a healthcare provider if your blister does not improve after a few days. You should also see a
provider if the blister appears infected. If it is infected, your skin will be red and swollen. The blister fills with
a white or yellowish fluid rather than a clear fluid or blood.

2. MUSCLE PAIN

What is muscle pain?

Muscle pain, or myalgia, is a sign of an injury,

infection, disease or other health problem. You
may feel a deep, steady ache or random sharp
pains. Some people have muscle pain all over, while
others have it in specific areas. Everyone
experiences muscle pain differently.

Who might get muscle pain?

 People of all ages and genders can have sore muscles. When you try a new physical activity or switch up
your exercise routine, you may experience delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Muscle aches may
come on six to 12 hours after a workout and last up to 48 hours. You feel pain as the muscles heal and get
stronger.

What other symptoms may occur with muscle pain?

In addition to muscle pain, you may also have:

Joint pain.
Muscle cramps.
Muscle spasms.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

What causes muscle pain?

Many things can cause muscle pain, including:

Autoimmune diseases.
Infections.
Injuries.
Medications.
Neuromuscular disorders.

a) What autoimmune diseases cause muscle pain?

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. A healthy immune
system fights off germs and infections.

Autoimmune diseases that cause muscle pain include:

 Inflammatory myopathies, such as inclusion body myositis and polymyositis.

 Lupus.
 Multiple sclerosis (MS).
b) What types of infections cause muscle pain?
Bacterial and viral infections can make you feel achy all over. Depending on the cause, you may also have
swollen lymph nodes, fever and nausea.

Types of infections that cause muscle aches include:

 Colds and flu.

 Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (infections spread through tick bites).
 Malaria.
 Trichinosis (a foodborne illness).
 What types of injuries cause muscle pain?
 When you repeatedly use the same muscles at work or during exercise, you may develop sore
muscles from overuse.

c) Other types of injuries that cause sore muscles include:

  Abdominal strains.
 Back strains and sprains.
 Broken bones and traumatic injuries.
 Myofascial pain syndrome from repetitive movements (overuse).
 Tendinitis.
 Tendinosis.

d) What medications cause muscle pain?

Certain medications and therapies can cause temporary or chronic pain. Some medicines cause
inflammation around muscle cells (myositis) or activate muscle pain receptors. These treatments include:

 Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

 High blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
 Statins to lower cholesterol levels.

e) What neuromuscular disorders cause muscle pain?

Neuromuscular disorders affect muscles and the nerves that control them. They can cause muscle weakness
and pain. These conditions include:

 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

 Muscular dystrophy.
 Myasthenia gravis.
 Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

CARE AND TREATMENT

How do healthcare providers diagnose muscle pain’s cause?

If you don’t know what’s causing muscle pain, or the pain is severe or chronic, your healthcare provider
may order tests, such as:

 Blood tests - to check enzyme, hormone and electrolyte levels and test for infections.
 MRI or CT scan - to look for muscle injury or damage.
 Electromyography - to measure electrical activity in nerves and muscles.
 Muscle biopsy - to look for muscle tissue changes that may indicate neuromuscular diseases.
How is muscle pain managed or treated?

Depending on the cause, these steps may help you feel better:
 Rest and elevate the painful area.
 Alternate between ice packs to reduce inflammation and heat to improve blood flow.
 Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or take a warm shower.
 Take over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen).
 Try complementary therapies, such as massage, meditation or acupuncture.
When should I call the doctor?

You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

 Chest pain.
 Fever.
 Loss of bladder control.
 Muscle weakness.
 New or worsening pain.
  Numbness or tingling in limbs.

3. STRAINS

What is a muscle strain?

A muscle strain is an injury to one of your muscles

that causes it to tear. They’re one of the most
common injuries, especially among athletes.

Strains are classified with three grades to indicate

how severe they are. Most people can recover by
resting their muscle and using at-home treatments
like ice and over-the-counter medicine. If you’re
feeling pain for a few weeks after your injury or have
severe symptoms, see your healthcare provider.

CAUSES

What causes a muscle strain?

Muscle strains happen when you tear the fibers of your muscle. Causes of muscle strains include:

Overuse: Repeating the same motion — whether at work or during an activity like playing sports — can lead
to overuse syndrome.
Not stretching or warming up before exercise: Stretching before exercise gradually increases how much
stress you put on your muscles.
A lack of flexibility: If you’re not very flexible, your muscles (and the fibers in them) are tighter, which
makes them more susceptible to strains.

SYMPTOMS

What are muscle strain symptoms?

Symptoms of a muscle strain include:
 Pain.
 Difficulty moving a muscle like you usually can.
 Weakness in a muscle.
 Bruising or discoloration.
 Swelling.
 Muscle spasms.

TREATMENT

How are muscle strains treated?

 You can treat most muscle strains with at-home methods of first aid, including:

Rest: Stop the physical activity that caused your strain to avoid further damaging your muscle.
Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day after your injury.
After one day, you can apply ice every three to four hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin (wrap your
ice pack in a towel or washcloth).
Elevation: If possible, keep your injured muscle elevated above your heart.
PREVENTION

How can I prevent muscle strains?

The best way to prevent muscle strains is to stretch and warm up before exercising. Increasing your overall
flexibility will also protect your muscles from future injuries. The more flexible you are, the more room your
muscle fibers have to stretch before they begin to tear.

It’s similar to how certain fabrics have more give than others. Your favorite pair of jeans have plenty of
flexibility to them because you’ve stretched them out over years. On the other hand, you might have to
wear a brand-new pair a few times before they feel comfortable. Your muscles are the same way. The more
you work them out and gradually stretch them, the more flexibility and give they have when you move.

4. SPRAIN

What is a sprain?

A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched

or torn. A ligament is a strong, fibrous band of rope-
like tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint.
When you have a sprain, you may have injured one or
more ligaments. A sprain is different from a strain,
even though sometimes the terms can get used
interchangeably. A strain is a stretch, pull or tear of
where a muscle attaches to a bone. Think of it as a
strain is muscle to bone and a sprain is bone to bone.
When you have a sprain, it directly impacts the joint
involved. The severity of a sprain can range from the
ligament being stretched, partially torn or completely
torn. How bad the injury is depends on both the degree of sprain and how many ligaments are involved.

CAUSES

What causes a sprain?

A sprain is caused by either a direct or indirect injury (trauma) that knocks the joint out of position and
overstretches, sometimes tearing the supporting ligaments. Examples of injuries that cause a sprain can include:

 Rolling your ankle — either while running, changing direction or landing from a jump.
 Falling or slipping on a wet surface or uneven ground.
 Taking a blow to the body, including contact sports that cause a direct hit or a shift in balance and falls.

TREATMENT

How are sprains treated?

 Your healthcare provider will advise you to follow the PRICE method for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury.
PRICE stands for:

 Protection: Try to immobilize an area of concern or stay off a weight bearing joint to prevent further motion and
restore alignment. You may be advised to use a brace/splint or crutches to stay off the injured area.

 Rest: Cut back your regular exercises and activities of daily living. An injury like a sprain requires a change in your
normal routine to let the area heal.

 Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 10 minutes. Do this four to eight times a day. You can use a cold
pack, ice bag or plastic bag filled with ice wrapped in a towel. An even better way to ice the area of concern is to
use an ice massage method — you can use an ice cube held in a washcloth or put water in a Dixie® cup into the
freezer. After the cup is frozen, peel back the top of the cup so it is like a frozen push pop. Use a circular motion
or back and forth motion over the area of concern. You only need three to five minutes to ice this because it will
penetrate deeply into the area of concern. To avoid frost bite and cold injury, do not apply the ice for longer
than 20 minutes at a time. Once you start to feel numb or uncomfortable — you should stop icing.

 Compression: Compression (continuous pressure) of the injured area my help reduce swelling. Using an ACE
bandage, you can wrap the affected area always from fingers towards the shoulder (on the upper body) or from
your toes to your groin (lower body). This prevents swelling distal (away from the middle of your body) to where
the injury is wrapped. A bandage should feel snug, but not so tight it is uncomfortable or cuts off your
circulation. You can adjust as needed. An easier way to apply compression from your knee down is with
compression stockings. These can be easily purchased online or over-the-counter.

 Elevation: In order to help decrease swelling, keep the injured area elevated on a pillow. You should try to keep
the injury above the level of your heart.

PREVENTION

How can I help prevent sprains?

Though sprains can happen to anyone, there are a few ways you can reduce the risk of a sprain. These tips include:

 Avoid exercising or playing sports when tired or in pain.

 Maintain a healthy weight and well-balanced diet to keep muscles strong.
 Wear shoes that fit properly and be sure any sports equipment is also fitting well.
 Practice safety measures to prevent falls.
 Do stretching exercises daily or prior physical therapy exercises to maintain strength and balance.
 Warm up and stretch before doing any physical activity.

5. MUSCLE CRAMPS

What is a muscle cramp?

A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of

one or more of your muscles. If you've ever been
awakened in the night or stopped in your tracks by a
sudden charley horse, you know that muscle cramps can
cause severe pain. Though generally harmless, muscle
cramps can make it temporarily impossible to use the
affected muscle.
 Long periods of exercise or physical labor, particularly in hot weather, can lead to muscle cramps. Some
medications and certain medical conditions also may cause muscle cramps. You usually can treat muscle
cramps at home with self-care measures.

CAUSES

Overuse of a muscle, dehydration, muscle strain or simply holding a position for a prolonged period can
cause a muscle cramp. In many cases, however, the cause isn't known.

Although most muscle cramps are harmless, some may be related to an underlying medical condition, such
as:
 Inadequate blood supply. Narrowing of the arteries that deliver blood to your legs (arteriosclerosis of
the extremities) can produce cramp-like pain in your legs and feet while you're exercising. These
cramps usually go away soon after you stop exercising.
 Nerve compression. Compression of nerves in your spine (lumbar stenosis) also can produce cramp-
like pain in your legs. The pain usually worsens the longer you walk. Walking in a slightly flexed position
— such as you would use when pushing a shopping cart ahead of you — may improve or delay the
onset of your symptoms.
 Mineral depletion. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg
cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these
minerals.

TREATMENT

Act fast when you feel a hamstring cramp coming on. While you may not be able to stop it entirely, you may be
able to lessen the severity.

Floor stretch
As the cramp takes hold, try gently stretching the muscle in the opposite direction of the tightening. Sit on the
floor with the affected leg extended in front of you and your foot flexed. Lean forward gently until you feel a
stretch in the hamstring.

You can also stretch the hamstring from a standing position. Place the heel of the foot on the affected leg on a
curb or other slightly raised surface. It helps to steady yourself by holding on to a tree or other stable surface,
like a wall. Slowly bend the knee of the standing leg until you feel a slight stretch in the hamstring.

Massage
As you stretch, you may also consider applying firm pressure and rubbing the muscle to help it release the
cramp.

If you have a foam roller, you might try sitting on the floor with the roller under the affected thigh. Slowly use
your arms to raise your hips off the floor, keeping your opposite leg slightly bent. Then slowly roll it between
your knee and buttocks.

Hot and cold therapy

The general rule is to apply heat to muscles when they’re tight. So, at the most acute phase of the cramp, heat
can help.
  You can make a hot compress at home by placing a towel in a bowl of hot (not scalding) water. Wring
out the towel, then fold it into a square before applying to the area for 20 minutes.
 Alternatively, you can fill a sock with rice, tie it off, and microwave it for 15-second increments until
warm. Apply it on the cramp for 20 minutes.
 After the contracting has passed, try applying ice packs to ease sore muscles.

PREVENTION
These steps may help prevent cramps:

Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of liquids every day. The amount depends on what you eat, your sex, your level
of activity, the weather, your health, your age and medications you take. Fluids help your muscles contract and
relax and keep muscle cells hydrated and less irritable. During activity, replenish fluids at regular intervals, and
continue drinking water or other fluids after you're finished.
Stretch your muscles. Stretch before and after you use any muscle for an extended period. If you tend to have
leg cramps at night, stretch before bedtime. Light exercise, such as riding a stationary bicycle for a few minutes
before bedtime, also may help prevent cramps while you're sleeping.

6. METATARSALGIA
 What Is Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a common overuse injury. The term describes pain and inflammation in the ball of your
foot. It’s often thought of as a symptom of other conditions, rather than as a specific disease.
CAUSES
The pain of metatarsalgia comes from too much pressure on one spot in your foot. It often results from the
pounding your feet take during high-impact sports. Or you may have something unusual about your bones or
muscles that affects the way pressure is distributed on your feet, such as:

A short first metatarsal bone or a long second metatarsal bone

 Prominent metatarsal heads

 Tight toe extensors (muscles)
 Weak toe flexors (muscles)
 Hammertoe deformity
 Hypermobile first foot bone
 Tight Achilles tendon

Other things that can cause metatarsalgia include:

 Excessive pronation (side-to-side movement of the foot when walking or running)

 Shoes that don’t fit well
 Being overweight
 Stress fractures in your toes or metatarsals
 Bunions
 Torn ligaments in your feet
SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of metatarsalgia is pain at the end of one or more of the metatarsal bones. Those are
the bones in the ball of your foot, closest to your toes.

 The pain can be sharp, a dull ache, or a burning feeling.

 You may feel like you’re stepping on a pebble.
 The pain is typically worse when you walk or run.
 You may feel tingling or numbness in your toes.

Athletes who take part in high-impact activities and also have an inflammatory condition like bursitis often
have more widespread pain in the ball and middle of the foot.

7. STRESS FRACTURES

What is stress fracture?

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone. They're caused by

repetitive force, often from overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up
and down or running long distances. Stress fractures can also develop from normal use of a bone that's
weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis.

CAUSES

Stress fractures often result from increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too quickly.

 Bone adapts gradually to increased loads through remodeling, a normal process that speeds up when
the load on the bone increases. During remodeling, bone tissue is destroyed (resorption), then rebuilt.
 Bones subjected to unaccustomed force without enough time for recovery resorb cells faster than your
body can replace them, which makes you more susceptible to stress fractures.

SYMPTOMS

At first, you might barely notice the pain associated with a stress fracture, but it tends to worsen with time. The
tenderness usually starts at a specific spot and decreases during rest. You might have swelling around the
painful area.

TREATMENT

Doctors can sometimes diagnose a stress fracture from a medical history and a physical exam, but imaging tests
are often needed such as X-ray, Bone scan or MRI.

To reduce the bone's weight-bearing load until healing occurs, you might need to wear a walking boot or brace
or use crutches.

Although unusual, surgery is sometimes necessary to ensure complete healing of some types of stress fractures,
especially those that occur in areas with a poor blood supply. Surgery also might be an option to help healing in
elite athletes who want to return to their sport more quickly or labourers whose work involves the stress
fracture site.

PREVENTION

Simple steps can help you prevent stress fractures.

 Make changes slowly. Start any new exercise program slowly and progress gradually. Avoid increasing the
amount you exercise by more than 10% a week.
 Use proper footwear. Make sure your shoes fit well and are appropriate for your activity. If you have flat
feet, ask your doctor about arch supports for your shoes.
 Cross-train. Add low-impact activities to your exercise regimen to avoid repetitively stressing a particular
part of your body.
 Get proper nutrition. To keep your bones strong, make sure your diet includes enough calcium, vitamin D
and other nutrients.
 8. BONE FRACTURES

What is a bone fracture?

A bone fracture is the medical definition for a broken bone.

Fractures are usually caused by traumas like falls, car accidents

or sports injuries. But some medical conditions and repetitive
forces (like running) can increase your risk for experiencing
certain types of fractures.

If you break a bone, you might need surgery to repair it. Some
people only need a splint, cast, brace or sling for their bone to
heal. How long it takes to recover fully depends on which of
your bones are fractured, where the fracture is and what
caused it.

CAUSES

Bone fractures are almost always caused by traumas. Anything that hits one of your bones with enough force
can break it. Some of the most common causes include:

 Car accidents.
 Falls.
 Sports injuries.
Sometimes you can fracture a bone without experiencing a trauma. Repetitive forces — like running or
practicing a sport — can cause stress fractures. Similarly, repeating one movement or motion constantly over a
long period of time can lead to overuse syndrome in your hands and arms. If you play an instrument or use your
hands in the same way every day at work you’re more likely to develop a stress fracture.

Your risk of experiencing a fracture is greatly increased if you have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes more than
one million fractures each year.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of bone fractures include:

 Pain.
 Swelling.
 Tenderness.
 Inability to move a part of your body like you usually can.
 Bruising or discoloration.
 A deformity or bump that’s not usually on your body.

TREATMENT

How your fracture is treated depends on which type it is, what caused it and how damaged your bones are.

a) Immobilization
If your fracture is mild and your bones did not move far out of place (if it’s non-displaced), you might only need
a splint or cast. Splinting usually lasts for three to five weeks. If you need a cast, it will likely be for longer,
typically six to eight weeks. In both cases you’ll likely need follow up X-rays to make sure your bones are healing
correctly.
 Closed reduction
More severe breaks require a closed reduction to set (realign) your bones. During this non-surgical procedure,
your provider will physically push and pull your body on the outside to line up your broken bones inside you. To
prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure you’ll receive one of the following:
 Local anesthetic to numb the area around your fracture.
 Sedatives to relax your whole body.
 General anesthesia to make you sleep through the procedure.

After the closed reduction, your provider will put you in a splint or cast.

b) Bone fracture surgery

Some bone fractures require surgery. Depending on which type of fracture you have — and how badly your
bones are damaged — there are few techniques your surgeon might use.
Internal fixation
Your surgeon will realign (set) your bones to their correct position and then secure them in place so they can
heal and grow back together. They usually perform what’s called an internal fixation, which means your surgeon
inserts pieces of metal into your bone to hold it in place while it heals. You’ll need to limit how much you use
that part of your body to make sure your bone can fully heal.
Internal fixation techniques include:
 Rods: A rod inserted through the center of your bone that runs from top-to-bottom.
 Plates and screws: Metal plates screwed into your bone to hold the pieces together in place.
 Pins and wires: Pins and wires hold pieces of bone in place that are too small for other fasteners. They’re
typically used at the same time as either rods or plates.

Some people live with these pieces inserted in them forever. You might need follow-up surgeries to remove
them.

c) External fixation
You might need an external fixation. Your surgeon will put screws in your bone on either side of the fracture
inside your body then connect them to a brace or bracket around the bone outside your body. This is usually a
temporary way to stabilize your fracture and give it time to begin healing before you have an internal fixation.

i. Arthroplasty
If you fracture a joint (like your shoulder, elbow or knee) you might need an arthroplasty (joint replacement).
Your surgeon will remove the damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint. The artificial joint (prosthesis)
can be metal, ceramic or heavy-duty plastic. The new joint will look like your natural joint and move in a similar
way.

ii. Bone grafting

You might need bone grafting if your fracture is severely displaced or if your bone isn’t healing back together as
well as it should. Your surgeon will insert additional bone tissue to rejoin your fractured bone. After that, they’ll
usually perform an internal fixation to hold the pieces together while your bone regrows. Bone grafts can come
from a few sources:
 Internally from somewhere else in your body — usually the top of your hip bone.
 An external donor.
 An artificial replacement piece.
After your surgery, your bone will be immobilized. You’ll need some combination of a splint, cast, brace or sling
before you can start using it like you did before your fracture.
PREVENTION

Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury:

 Always wear your seatbelt.

 Wear the right protective equipment for all activities and sports.
 Make sure your home and workspace are free from clutter that could trip you or others.
 Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Never stand on chairs, tables or
countertops.
 Follow a diet and exercise plan that will help you maintain good bone health.
 Talk to your provider about a bone density test if you’re older than 50 or if you have a family history of
osteoporosis.
 Use your cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk for falls.

9. DISLOCATIONS

What is dislocation?

The place where two or more bones in the body come together
is called a joint. A dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint become
separated or knocked out of their usual positions. Any joint in the body
can become dislocated. If the joint is partially dislocated, it is called a
subluxation.

Dislocations can be very painful and cause the affected joint

area to be unsteady or immobile (unable to move). They can also strain
or tear the surrounding muscles, nerves, and tendons (tissue that
connects the bones at a joint). You should seek medical treatment for a
dislocation.

CAUSES

Trauma that forces a joint out of place causes a dislocation. Car accidents, falls, and contact sports such as
football are common causes of this injury.

Dislocations also occur during regular activities when the muscles and tendons surrounding the joint are weak.
These injuries happen more often in older people who have weaker muscles and balance issues.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of a dislocation vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. The symptoms of a
dislocated joint include:

 Pain
 Swelling
 Bruising
 Instability of the joint
  Loss of ability to move the joint
 Visibly deformed joint (bone looks out of place)

TREATMENT

Treatment can vary based on the severity of the injury and which joint is dislocated. Applying ice and keeping
the joint elevated can help reduce pain while you wait to see a doctor. Treatments for dislocations include:

 Medication: Your doctor may recommend medication to reduce pain from a dislocation
 Manipulation: A doctor returns the bones to their proper places.
 Rest: Once the joint is back in place, you may need to protect it and keep it immobile. Using a sling or
splint can help the area heal fully.
 Rehabilitation: Physical therapy exercises strengthen the muscles and ligaments around the joint to help
support it.
 Surgery: Your doctor may recommend surgery if:
o Manipulation does not work to put the bones back in place.
o The dislocation damaged blood vessels or nerves.
o The dislocation damaged bones, tore muscles or ligaments that need repair.