Bone Dislocation - What Should You Know?

The time that a bone dislocation takes to recover depends on the size of the joint involved and the amount of associated damage the supporting structures have incurred. Besides the age, weight, severity of injury, type of treatment and other factors are also responsible in determining the recovery time. It takes 2-3 weeks to recover from dislocations in small joints like in those in fingers, while a shoulder dislocation will take 12-16 weeks to recover. Hip dislocation can take up to six months or more to recover but never more than a year.

Ligaments are flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connect various bones and cartilage. It also binds the bones in a joint together. A dislocation occurs when extreme force is put on a ligament allowing the ends of 2 connected bones to separate.

Bleeding is not a symptom of bone dislocation. Dislocation occurs when significant stress is put on the ligament which connects two bones at the joint. The stress may be the result of an accident like falling hard at an awkward angle or having any part of a body jerked violently. Separation of ligaments do not tear any blood vessels and hence bleeding does not occur.

As incredulous as it may sound, dislocated kneecaps often treat themselves. They pop back into place before you even get to see a health professional. Over time if you have the condition recurrently, it will become less painful and what more, you may be able to put it back yourself. This is usually achieved by slowly straightening the leg or allowing someone to straighten it for you.