Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees patients after a joint dislocation, for follow-up and rehabilitation, at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. If your joint was put back at a hospital, bring the discharge letter and the X-rays taken before and after it was reduced. They show what happened and help him plan your recovery. His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.
What is joint dislocation?
A joint is dislocated when the ends of the bones that meet there are pushed out of their normal position. A partial dislocation, called a subluxation, is when they slip only part of the way out. It usually follows a fall onto an outstretched hand, a sports injury or a road accident. The shoulder, elbow, fingers and kneecap are common sites. The joint looks out of shape, hurts a lot and is hard to move. Ligaments around the joint are stretched or torn, and sometimes a bone is broken as well. Nerves and blood vessels near the joint can be injured too, so a dislocation needs to be seen by a doctor quickly.
Common signs
- A joint that looks out of shape or out of place after a fall or blow.
- Severe pain and difficulty moving a shoulder, elbow, finger or knee after an injury.
- A kneecap or shoulder that slipped out and went back by itself.
- A joint that keeps slipping or giving way after an earlier dislocation.
- Stiffness or weakness that remains weeks after a dislocation was put back.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon, and his services list includes the treatment of dislocations within trauma and emergency care. He checks the joint, the skin, the pulses and the feeling in the hand or foot, and reviews the X-rays for a broken bone. He explains how the joint is put back (reduction), how long it needs to be protected, and the exercises that bring back movement. Where a joint stays loose or keeps slipping, he discusses whether surgery may help.
What to expect
Check and X-ray
He examines the joint and checks the nerves and blood supply. An X-ray shows the direction of the dislocation and any broken bone.
Putting it back
The joint is moved gently back into place, called a reduction, with pain relief, a local anaesthetic or sedation so you do not feel it.
Protecting the joint
A sling, splint or strapping keeps the joint still for a short time while the ligaments settle. A finger may be strapped to the next finger.
Follow-up
Repeat X-rays and checks show that the joint is staying in place and healing.
Rehabilitation
Exercises, often with a physiotherapist, bring back movement first and then strength, to lower the chance of it happening again.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- A simple elbow dislocation is often kept still for one to three weeks, then moving it early helps limit stiffness.
- A dislocated shoulder usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks to recover, and some sports take longer.
- A dislocated kneecap can take several months to recover fully, though many people walk soon after treatment.
- Some loss of movement can remain, especially at the elbow, even after good rehabilitation.
Risks to know about
- A joint that has dislocated once is more likely to dislocate again.
- Stiffness after a long time in a sling or splint, which is why exercises start early.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if a joint keeps slipping or giving way, or is still stiff or weak weeks after a dislocation. Book a visit for follow-up after a dislocation was put back elsewhere, and bring the X-rays. Go to emergency care straight away if a joint looks out of place after an injury, you cannot move it, a bone is through the skin, or the hand or foot below it is cold, pale, blue or numb. Do not try to put the joint back yourself.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
Questions patients ask
My shoulder was put back at a hospital in Dubai. When should I see him?
Book a review within the time the hospital advised, often within a week or two. Bring the discharge letter and X-rays, and keep wearing the sling until you are told otherwise.
Should I try to put a dislocated joint back myself?
No. Trying to push it back can damage the nerves, blood vessels or bone around it. Support the limb, keep it still, and get to emergency care.
My kneecap went back in by itself. Do I still need to be seen?
Yes. Even when a joint goes back on its own, it should be checked and X-rayed, because a piece of bone or cartilage can break off and the ligaments may need care.
Will I need surgery for a dislocation?
Most dislocations are treated by putting the joint back and protecting it, then exercises. Surgery is considered when a bone is broken as well, the joint will not stay in place, or it keeps dislocating.
Book an appointment
His nurse answers the phone and WhatsApp.