An Overview of Joint Subluxation

• Updated on: 2020-10-14
• Read original article here

A joint subluxation is a partial dislocation of a joint. It is often the result of acute injury or repetitive motion injury but can also be caused by medical conditions that undermine the integrity of ligaments. The treatment for subluxations may include resetting the joint, pain relief, rehabilitation therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.
Symptoms

As opposed to luxation (the complete dislocation of a joint), subluxations only result in the partial separation of a joint. Some of the common symptoms include:

Pain and swelling around the joint
A sensation of joint instability
Limited mobility or the loss of range of motion
Loss of feeling or numbness (usually temporary)
Bruising1

If the joint injury is serious, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Signs of an emergency include severe pain, loss of sensation, or the inability to move a joint or bear weight on it.2
Types of Subluxation

Some joints are more likely to be affected by subluxations than others. Some of the more commonly affected joints include those of the spine, shoulder, kneecap, and elbow.
Vertebral Subluxation

A vertebral subluxation can occur with trauma to the spine, such as a fall or severe blow. The subluxation may involve a ligament rupture with or without injury to the vertebra (spinal bones) itself. This type of injury can compress the spinal cord, resulting in shooting pains, referred pain, or loss of nerve function.3

The term subluxation is also used by chiropractors to describe any misalignment of the vertebrae that needs adjustment. Chiropractors typically use spinal manipulation to help place joints in the spine in their proper position.4

 Shoulder Subluxation

A shoulder subluxation means that the ball of your upper arm comes partially out of the socket in your scapula (shoulder blade). Severe injury or trauma is most often the cause of shoulder subluxation.

Sports like swimming, tennis, volleyball, and others that involve repetitive upward motions can loosen the ligaments in the shoulder and make it more likely for subluxation to occur.5

With shoulder subluxation, your shoulder may feel as it is loose or slipping in and out of the socket. Pain and loss of motion are common and often extreme.
Patellar Subluxation

The patella (kneecaps) fits in a groove at the end of the tibia (thigh bone). A patellar subluxation occurs when the kneecap moves partially out of that groove. Patellar subluxation is the most common knee problem in children and adolescents.6

Patellar subluxation is usually caused by a direct fall on the knee but can also happen if the knee ligaments are loose. Symptoms can vary but may include pain, swelling, feeling the knee "give way," and a misshapen look to the knee.
Elbow Subluxation

Elbow subluxations can occur when someone falls onto their hands. Though elbow luxations are typically very painful, subluxations may not be as obvious. The elbow may move perfectly well, although there may be a dull or sharp pain.8



Children under seven can get a type of subluxation called a radial head subluxation (a.k.a. "nursemaid's elbow"). This can happen when the child’s arm is pulled a little too roughly. Because the bones and muscles of younger children are still growing, dislocation can occur quite easily. Although painful, a nursemaid’s elbow can be easily reset by a doctor
Treatment

After examining the injury, your doctor will likely reset the joint into its proper position using manual manipulation. This may involve turning or pulling the limb.14



Once the joint is properly realigned and your doctor has ruled out any complications, the treatment will be focused on reducing inflammation and pain. The standard approach, known by the acronym RICE, involves:

Rest: You will be instructed to limit activity and avoid putting weight on the affected joint. To improve recovery and ensure stability, the doctor may immobilize the joint with a splint, brace, or cast.
Ice Application: Icing an injury helps dilate blood vessels to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. Apply the ice pack for no more than 15 to 20 minutes several times a day, using a cloth barrier to prevent frostbite.
Compression: Your doctor may suggest an elastic bandage to control swelling, reduce blood flow, and provide structural support to the affected joint.
Elevation: Placing the joint above the heart can also alleviate pain and inflammation by reducing blood flow and pressure to the joint.2

Your doctor may also suggest a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Aleve (naproxen), Advil (ibuprofen), or Voltaren (diclofenac) to alleviate swelling and inflammation.
Joint Surgery

Occasionally, surgery may be needed if the joint cannot be realigned manually or the dislocation is recurrent. Surgery may involve grafting bone or connective tissues into the joint space, debriding (removing) cartilage or bone to improve joint mobility, or repairing torn ligaments or tendons.15

Joint surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in muscle and skeletal diseases and disorders. It may require open surgery or be performed arthroscopically.
What to Know About Knee Arthroscopic Surgery
Recovery and Rehabilitation

Once the acute inflammation has subsided, your doctor may suggest a long-term treatment plan. In most cases, subluxations are one-time events, and you will be able to fully recover the function of a joint with simple at-home exercises.

Severe subluxations can cause long-term impairment and instability. If these symptoms persist after treatment, your doctor will likely refer you to a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles and ligaments and maintain or increase the range of motion in the joint. This may involve in-office procedures and at-home exercises and treatments.16
An Overview of Physical Therapy Exercises
A Word From Verywell

Just because a subluxation is "not as bad" as a full dislocation, you shouldn't ignore it and hope that it goes away on its own. Doing so may lead to permanent changes in the joint space (including the development of osteoarthritis) or result in the impairment of blood flow and the onset of tissue necrosis (tissue death) or avascular necrosis (bone death).17

In most cases, joint subluxation can be treated conservatively. But, if a severe injury occurs, early treatment almost always results in better outcomes.