A dislocation is when two connected bones slip out of position in a joint. Dislocations are caused by falls and hard impacts, such as in sports injuries, and are more common in teens than young children. These injuries require emergency medical care to avoid further damage. Signs and Symptoms A joint is where two or more bones come together. A joint may be dislocated if it is: swollen bruised or red painful difficult to move out of place What to Do If you think your child has a dislocation, get emergency medical care or call 911. Until care arrives: Leave the joint alone. Attempting to move or jam a dislocated bone back in can damage blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Put an ice pack covered in a cloth on the area around the joint. Ice can ease swelling and pain in and around the joint. Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. Think Prevention! Make sure kids wear safety gear during sports activities. Supervise children when they're playing — a hard fall can happen anywhere, anytime. Avoid tugging hard on a young child's arm or shoulder, which can cause injury or dislocation. Back to Articles Related Articles Nursemaid's Elbow Young kids are at risk for a common injury known as nursemaid's elbow, which is easy for a doctor to fix. To help prevent it, never swing or lift a child by the lower arm, hands, or wrists. Read More Household Safety: Preventing Injuries From Falling, Climbing, and Grabbing Here's how to help protect kids from a dangerous fall or a tumble into a sharp edge in your home. Read More Playground Safety Following these safety guidelines can make neighborhood playgrounds entertaining and safe for your kids. Read More Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 and under. Read More First Aid: Falls Although most result in mild bumps and bruises, some falls can cause serious injuries that need medical attention. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More Word! Dislocation We all have places on our bodies that bend, like elbows and knees. Read More Getting an X-ray (Video) You'll get an X-ray if your doctor thinks you might have a broken bone. Find out how X-rays are done in this video for kids. Read More Your Bones Where would you be without your bones? Learn more about the skeletal system in this article for kids. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.