Dislocation 脱臼

A joint dislocation occurs when the bones that normally meet at a joint are forced out of their normal position. It is commonly caused by falls, sports injuries, road traffic accidents, or direct trauma.

Dislocations can occur in almost any joint, but are most frequently seen in the shoulder, elbow, finger, jaw (temporomandibular joint), patella (kneecap), and hip. Depending on the severity of the injury, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels may also be damaged.

At JIN TCM Clinic, we integrate modern medical assessment, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), TCM Orthopaedics (Zheng Gu), manual therapy, acupuncture, and structured rehabilitation to support recovery after joint dislocations and help patients regain normal movement safely.

Important: A suspected dislocation is a medical emergency until assessed. Some dislocations require urgent reduction, imaging, surgery, or emergency orthopaedic care. Our physicians will assess each case carefully and refer patients promptly whenever appropriate.

From a modern medical perspective:

 A dislocation occurs when excessive force pushes the joint surfaces out of alignment.

The injury may involve:

• Joint capsule tearing 
• Ligament injury 
• Muscle and tendon strain 
• Cartilage damage 
• Bone fractures (fracture-dislocation) 
• Nerve or blood vessel injury 

Without proper treatment, repeated dislocations may occur due to persistent ligament laxity or muscle weakness.

• Shoulder dislocation 
• Elbow dislocation 
• Finger dislocation 
• Patellar (kneecap) dislocation 
• Hip dislocation 
• Jaw (TMJ) dislocation

From a TCM viewpoint:

 Joint dislocations fall under the category of "脱臼", with treatment focusing on 整复复位、舒筋活络、消肿止痛 (joint reduction, restoring tendons, promoting circulation, and relieving pain).

After injury, the body commonly develops:

• Qi and Blood stagnation 
• Blood stasis obstructing the meridians 
• Tendon and ligament injury 
• Local swelling and pain 

During recovery, prolonged immobilisation may lead to:

• Qi and Blood deficiency 
• Liver and Kidney deficiency affecting tendons and bones 
• Muscle weakness 
• Joint stiffness 

Treatment principles therefore change according to the stage of healing.

 Patients with a joint dislocation may experience:

• Sudden severe pain after injury 
• Visible joint deformity 
• Inability to move the joint 
• Swelling and bruising 
• Feeling that the joint has "popped out" 
• Muscle spasm around the joint 
• Numbness or tingling (if nerves are affected) 
• Joint instability after previous dislocations 

Following reduction, patients commonly experience:

• Persistent pain 
• Muscle tightness 
• Limited range of motion 
• Weakness 
• Fear of moving the joint

 At JIN TCM Clinic, we perform a comprehensive assessment while recognising the importance of modern imaging and emergency evaluation.

Whenever available, we review:

• X-rays 
• MRI (for ligament, tendon or cartilage injuries) 
• CT scans (when indicated) 
• Emergency department records 
• Orthopaedic reports 
• Surgical reports 

For suspected acute dislocations that have not yet been reduced, patients will be referred immediately for appropriate emergency assessment.

We assess:

• Joint alignment 
• Swelling 
• Tenderness 
• Active and passive range of motion 
• Ligament stability 
• Muscle strength 
• Functional movement 
• Neurovascular status 

Treatment is individualised according to:

• Blood stasis 
• Qi stagnation 
• Wind-Cold-Damp obstruction (chronic cases) 
• Liver-Kidney deficiency 
• Qi and Blood deficiency during rehabilitation 

This integrated assessment allows us to address both the structural injury and the individual's recovery needs.

For selected simple joint dislocations that are suitable for conservative management, trained TCM Orthopaedic Physicians may perform manual reduction.

The goals are to:

• Restore normal joint alignment 
• Reduce pain 
• Improve joint function 
• Minimise long-term complications 

Reduction is only performed after careful assessment to ensure it is appropriate and safe.

If imaging suggests a fracture, severe instability, vascular injury, nerve injury, or complex dislocation, patients will be referred immediately to an orthopaedic specialist or emergency department.

Following successful reduction, temporary immobilisation may be recommended depending on the injured joint.

This allows:

• Ligaments to heal 
• Pain to settle 
• Swelling to reduce 
• Joint stability to improve 

Patients are advised on:

• Sling use (for shoulder injuries) 
• Splints or braces (when appropriate) 
• Activity modification 
• Safe return to movement

Once the joint is stable and appropriate healing has begun, manual therapy helps restore movement.

Components include:

• Myofascial release 
• Soft tissue mobilisation 
• Scar tissue management (if surgery was performed) 
• Muscle tension release 
• Joint mobilisation (only when appropriate) 

Benefits include:

• Reducing stiffness 
• Improving circulation 
• Restoring mobility 
• Improving muscle balance 
• Preparing for rehabilitation exercises

Acupuncture is commonly used throughout recovery.

Potential benefits include:

• Pain relief 
• Reduction of swelling 
• Relaxation of surrounding muscles 
• Improved circulation 
• Support for soft tissue healing 
• Reduction of muscle guarding 

Electro-acupuncture may be used in selected cases to facilitate muscle activation and rehabilitation.

Cupping is generally used after the acute stage, and not directly over freshly injured tissues.

Benefits may include:

• Relieving muscle tightness 
• Improving circulation 
• Reducing compensatory muscle tension 
• Supporting recovery of surrounding soft tissues 

Techniques may include:

• Stationary cupping 
• Sliding cupping 
• Flash cupping

Herbal medicine is prescribed according to the stage of healing.

Early Stage

Treatment focuses on:

• Reducing swelling 
• Promoting circulation 
• Relieving pain 

Recovery Stage

Treatment focuses on:

• Supporting ligament and tendon healing 
• Strengthening muscles 
• Improving circulation 

Rehabilitation Stage

Treatment focuses on:

• Nourishing Liver and Kidney 
• Strengthening tendons and bones 
• Preventing recurrent instability 

Commonly used herbs may include:

• Xu Duan (续断) 
• Gu Sui Bu (骨碎补) 
• Dang Gui (当归) 
• Hong Hua (红花) 
• Sang Ji Sheng (桑寄生) 

Herbal prescriptions are always tailored to the individual.

 Successful reduction alone does not restore normal joint function.

Rehabilitation is essential to reduce stiffness, rebuild strength, and lower the risk of recurrent dislocation.

Our physicians provide progressive rehabilitation based on the injured joint and stage of healing.

Rehabilitation may include:

Range of Motion Training

Gradually restore joint mobility while protecting healing tissues.

Muscle Strengthening

Exercises are prescribed to strengthen the muscles that stabilise the affected joint.

Examples include:

• Rotator cuff strengthening (shoulder) 
• Quadriceps and hip strengthening (patella) 
• Forearm and grip strengthening (elbow and finger) 
• Hip stabilisation (hip dislocation) 

Proprioception and Balance Training

Improve joint awareness and stability to reduce the risk of future dislocations.

Functional Training

Patients gradually return to:

• Daily activities 
• Work 
• Sports 
• Recreational activities 

Lifestyle Advice

Our physicians provide guidance on:

• Safe return to exercise 
• Injury prevention 
• Proper lifting techniques 
• Sports modifications 
• Home exercises 

 During your first consultation, our physicians perform a detailed assessment and review your medical imaging where available.

If conservative TCM treatment is appropriate, an individualised treatment plan may include:

• Joint reduction (selected cases) 
• Acupuncture 
• Manual therapy 
• Herbal medicine 
• Rehabilitation exercises 

Recovery depends on:

• The joint involved 
• Severity of ligament injury 
• Whether surgery was required 
• Previous dislocations 
• Age and overall health 

Most simple dislocations recover over several weeks, while complete recovery of strength and stability may take several months with rehabilitation.

It is common to experience:

• Mild soreness after treatment 
• Temporary muscle fatigue following rehabilitation 
• Gradual improvement in movement over time 

We do not sell fixed treatment packages.

Treatment frequency is personalised according to your recovery progress and functional goals.

 Seek urgent medical attention immediately if you experience:

• A joint that appears visibly out of place 
• Severe pain after trauma 
• Inability to move the limb 
• Numbness or loss of sensation 
• Cold, pale, or blue fingers or toes 
• Suspected fracture associated with the dislocation 
• Open injuries 
• Severe swelling with increasing pain 
• A joint that repeatedly dislocates after reduction 

These situations require prompt medical assessment and may need emergency reduction or surgery.

• MOH-registered bilingual TCM Physicians 
• Expertise in TCM Orthopaedics (跌打损伤与正骨) 
• Comprehensive assessment integrating modern imaging with TCM diagnosis 
• Individualised rehabilitation programmes following joint injuries 
• Integrated care combining Zheng Gu, acupuncture, manual therapy, herbal medicine and rehabilitation 
• Evidence-informed, patient-centred treatment 
• Focus on restoring joint stability, function and long-term recovery

 Whether you have recently experienced a joint dislocation, are recovering after reduction or surgery, or continue to experience pain, stiffness, weakness or recurrent instability, our physicians will assess your condition comprehensively and develop a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery safely and effectively. 

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Ubi
📞 +65 8896 9398

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Aljunied
📞 +65 8896 3210

JIN TCM Clinic 精诚中医诊所 @ Commonwealth

📞 +65 8896 0678

Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. Not all joint dislocations are suitable for conservative TCM treatment. Management depends on the joint involved, associated fractures, ligament injuries, neurovascular status, and the patient's overall condition. Where appropriate, our physicians will refer patients to orthopaedic specialists or emergency services for further assessment and treatment. 

Medically reviewed by Physician Tan Jun You

MOH-registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Physician

Master's Degree in Orthopaedics & Traumatology (Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Clinical interests:

• Fractures 
• Sports injuries 
• Bone setting (正骨) 
• Pain management 
• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation