“Can a dislocation heal itself?”

Typically it is better for the dislocation to be addressed otherwise the joint may heal abnormally and cause future problems. However, if left unaddressed the body would try to heal it self in whatever way it can. it is best to seek a medical expert to help relocate the joint.

No, this is not possible.

A joint is 2 or more bones coming together to form a functional moving unit. Dislocation is when the bones coming together to form the joint come out of alignment. Dislocations have to be relocated which means that the bones have to be placed back into normal alignment. The question is what other structures were injured which allowed the dislocation to occur. Usually dislocation results from tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are what holds the joint in appropriate alignment. Whether or not ligaments heal on their own, without intervention, depends on which joint was dislocated. Some require immobilization, others require surgery to allow proper healing. Sometimes immobilization is attempted and if the ligaments don't heal correctly then surgery can be performed later. It really depends on which joint dislocated.

The healing of the joint after dislocation the pains on what joint in the body and what type dislocation that he had. For example, if you sustained a dislocation of the patella of your knee, your body will heal up by itself. If you have a dislocation of the shoulder of the elbow, these joints usually healed up by themselves even though you might have a some instability of the joint. There are certain dislocations will not healed up by itself. For example, if you dislocate your knee, some of the important ligament which stabilize your knee such as ACL PCL will not healed up by themselves.

Typically, a dislocation requires relocation with a period of immobilization. In other words, some dislocations only require the procedure to relocate the joint. Further treatment is directed toward the specific joint involved and additional injuries.

Good luck,

Dr. L