Neck Injuries and Disorders—Dislocations

Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your bones out of position. The cause is often a fall or a blow, sometimes from playing a contact sport. You can dislocate your ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows and jaw. You can also dislocate your finger and toe joints. Dislocated joints often are swollen, very painful and visibly out of place. You may not be able to move it.

A dislocated joint is an emergency. If you have one, seek medical attention. Treatment depends on which joint you dislocate and the severity of the injury. It might include manipulations to reposition your bones, medicine, a splint or sling, and rehabilitation. When properly repositioned, a joint will usually function and move normally again in a few weeks. Once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are more likely to dislocate it again. Wearing protective gear during sports may help prevent dislocations.

• Dislocated shoulder – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dislocation (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Kneecap dislocation (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Kneecap dislocation – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Nursemaid’s elbow (Medical Encyclopedia)

Any part of your neck – muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves – can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.

• Cervical MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cervical spine CT scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cervical spondylosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck lump (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck pain or spasms — self care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck x-ray (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Spinal fusion (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Torticollis (Medical Encyclopedia)