Dislocation (medicine)
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Joint dislocation (Latin: luxatio) <ref>Luxation</ref> occurs when bones in a joint become displaced or misaligned. It is often caused by a sudden impact to the joint. The ligaments almost always become damaged as a result of a dislocation.
Once a joint is dislocated, it may reduce (return to its proper position) on its own, or it may require physical manipulation. Such manipulation, without sufficient training, can greatly increase the severity of the injury through improper attempts at care. Once reduction is achieved, the joint is held in place through a splint (for straight joints like fingers and toes) or a bandage (for complex joints like shoulders). Even if a dislocated joint reduces on its own, it should be immobilized and medical attention should be sought.
The shoulders, fingers, and wrists are all common places for a dislocation to occur.
A subluxation is a partial dislocation.
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