In case of loss of balance and falling, a person instinctively stretches his arms forward to reduce the likelihood of injury. As a result, a dislocation of the hand can occur, which is mostly characterized by damage to the ligaments in the wrist. In addition to falling, dislocation of the hand can be obtained in other circumstances. For example, during excessive pressure on the arm. This can happen with movers, athletes, seamstresses, plasterers. In children, dislocation sometimes happens due to negligent parents, when they sharply pull the baby's hand.
Damage Features
Dislocation of the wrist can occur in both an adult and a child. Due to the fact that adults are no longer so active, such injuries occur much less frequently. Children get dislocations of the wrist joint more often. As a result, pain is felt. A tumor in the hand also develops. And this does not always happen due to the increased activity of the child (although this reason is not in last place).
This may be due to an anomaly in the development of the joint, in which the area and depth are smaller than expected. Such a genetic abnormality is a predisposing factor to dislocation. In this case, parents should monitor their child more closely to prevent injuries. With age, subject to the correct growth and formation of the child, this defect is eliminated.
Symptomatic manifestations
Symptoms of a dislocation of the hand are as follows:
- A person feels severe pain at the site of injury.
- Tumor in the area of the wrist joint.
- The previous mobility of the upper limb disappears.
- The sensitivity of the hand decreases, its numbness develops.
- Apparent deformation of the damaged brush is noticeable.
Hematoma and edema with a dislocation do not appear immediately, time must pass before a person noticed a swelling and a bruise on his hand. And then this does not always happen. Significant hematoma is formed if tissue rupture or sprain has occurred. This also happens when the joint capsule is damaged.
Definition and classification
According to medical terminology, dislocation is a violation of the congruence of the articular surfaces of the bones as a result of their displacement. The function of the joint is impaired, the range of motion is reduced in it.
Types of dislocation of the hand may be different depending on the type of displacement, the duration of the injury, the presence of complications, etc.
Depending on the type of displacement:
- True displacement - there is a complete displacement of the bones of the wrist in relation to the articular surface of the radius.
- Perilunar view - the rear-central displacement of all bones, with the exception of the lunate. Often such a dislocation leads to fractures.
- Other types of dislocations.
By age, dislocations are:
- Fresh - hold less than 3 days.
- Stale - up to 14 days.
- Long-standing - if the dislocation of the hand lasts more than two weeks, such an injury is difficult to treat.
If we talk about the presence of complications, then there are dislocations:
- Uncomplicated - displacement of the articular surfaces of the hand is not accompanied by fractures, torn ligaments, tendons, etc.
- Complicated - in this case, blood vessels, nerves or soft tissues can be damaged. Sometimes there are fractures of the intraarticular bones of the wrist.
Dislocations can also be correctable when they are not accompanied by complications and the injury has just occurred. In this case, the reduction of dislocations is carried out without surgical intervention. And irreversible, when a closed method of congruency of the articular surfaces is impossible. In this case, it is necessary to restore the integrity of the wrist joint by the operational method. Most often, irreversible dislocations include chronic and complicated displacements.
Very rarely, doctors record dislocations of the hand in newborns. Such an injury is classified as a separate species. In this case, parents should urgently seek medical help.
What to do with a dislocation of the arm
If there is a dislocation of the hand, the following actions are necessary:
- Do not move your hand in the joint.
- Do not exert any load or pressure on the damaged joint.
- Cold is applied to the sore spot (where the hand is swollen) for 20 minutes, after which a short break is made and cold is applied again. Do not allow frostbite on the tissues; for this, ice should be wrapped in a towel.
Diagnostic measures
A person alone will not be able to determine if a bone dislocation has occurred or is this another trauma. Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
Initially, the damaged area is palpated, the possibility of limb movement is assessed, thus the number of bones and ligaments involved in the dislocation is determined.
After this, the patient is sent for x-ray. If there is a suspicion of damage to the ligamentous apparatus, it is best to do an MRI. This will give a detailed idea of the condition of the soft tissues in the area of the damaged brush.
Treatment principles
How to treat a dislocation correctly and without consequences? Therapy should be started immediately, only then the risk of complications will be minimized. If you stretch the time, then the joint may shift. This, in turn, will impede its normal functioning.
Most often, the disease is eliminated by adjusting dislocations, this is done by a competent specialist. So the bones will return to the correct position.
In this case, local or general anesthesia will be made, since this procedure brings severe pain in the hand. After the procedure, a control x-ray is done to confirm the correctness of the actions of the doctor.
Then a plaster cast or orthosis is applied to the wrist. This is necessary in order not to once again move the limb during the rehabilitation period. Recovery lasts up to 2 weeks.
Physiotherapeutic Activities
In order to speed up the recovery process and give the former flexibility and mobility to the joint, it is necessary to undergo a course of physiotherapy. The main physiotherapeutic measures include:
- massage;
- ultrasound exposure;
- Exercise therapy.
Special exercises
Gradually, during the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to start doing arm exercises in order to restore the mobility of the hand. This should be done only after the doctor examines the hand and gives permission to remove the retaining bandage. If severe pain is felt, then all physical influences cease.
- The first exercise is squeezing the ball. You need to take a solid small ball to fit in the palm of your hand, and begin to squeeze it hard for 10 seconds. The exercise is repeated 10 times. In the early stages of recovery, it is best to use a soft ball.
- The second exercise is flexion of the wrist. A small object is taken, placed on a damaged palm, which is turned upward to the ceiling. The arm bends at the wrist 15 times. Gradually, the weight of the item in the hand increases.
- The third exercise - at a late stage of recovery, you can use a rubber tourniquet that is attached to a stationary object, and, overcoming the force of the rubber, you need to bend your arm in the wrist joint up to 10 times.
Home treatment
Is it possible to treat dislocation (and how) at home? An undertaking with treatment at home can be fraught with consequences. Only a doctor can evaluate the fullness of the picture and prescribe the necessary treatment. But there are circumstances when it is impossible to urgently seek medical help. In this case, you need to know how to behave properly with dislocation of the wrist joint.
The initial task is to relieve pain. In this case, anesthetics will be needed, but you can also use improvised means. You need to mix the flour and vinegar, form a cake and attach it to the damaged place. Then wrap this entire “structure” with a cloth.
Well remove the pain of the hand wormwood leaves. To restore joint mobility, you should use a recipe based on tansy grass. Its essence is as follows:
- 3 tablespoons of tansy pour 1 cup boiling water.
- Insist remedy for 1 hour.
- After cooling, the infusion is filtered.
- A compress is made from the resulting fluid and applied to the dislocation site.
In the same way, a compress is prepared from an ordinary cuff.
If the dislocation of the hand was successfully repaired, then it is recommended to use brionia as a strengthening procedure. It is applied to the sore spot also in the form of a compress. The mixture of onions and milk has the same effect.
It is worthwhile to understand that all these recipes can only serve as an adjunct treatment for dislocation. The main therapy is prescribed by the doctor.
Possible consequences
If treatment is not started in time, then negative consequences may develop, which are manifested by stagnation of the joints. An older injury will be difficult to respond to all therapeutic measures. Over time, the joint will cease to function normally, and nothing can be done.
Complications can occur at the time of injury. This is a compression of arteries or veins. The blood flow is disturbed, the tissues do not receive enough blood supply, which leads to their atrophy. A compression of the nerve endings leads to a loss of sensitivity in this area.
Due to the complexity of the joint structure in the area of the hand, the recovery period after a dislocation may be delayed. The flexibility and mobility of the articular part will return in more than one day, it will take time for intensive training and physiotherapeutic procedures.
Dislocation of the brush only seems to be a harmless problem. In fact, without treatment, it faces serious consequences. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor with a brush injury, only a specialist will be able to determine the degree of damage and prescribe adequate treatment. The sooner therapy is started, the faster the joint will recover. Moreover, it is necessary to exclude the rupture of soft tissues and nerves, because with such an injury the treatment is completely different.