Joint injuries such as sprains and dislocations are just one of many common emergency situations health care professionals come in contact with on a daily basis, but what about the average individual?

Would you know what to do in this type of emergency situation?

The following paragraphs will encompass the benefits of knowledge in the case of a suspected joint injury by offering tips on how to diagnose a possible joint injury and the proper first aid procedures to follow in such an emergency.

The term "dislocation" refers to an injury in which the joint comes apart and stays apart with the end of the bones no longer connecting.

Dislocation takes place most frequently in the shoulder, elbow, finger, hip, knee and ankle joints.

Even if you have not received first aid training there are several ways to assist a person suffering from a joint injury. Collecting medical data and providing it to the attending physician or emergency medical administer, is extremely important.

The signs and symptoms of a dislocated joint are very similar to a fracture. Therefore, the steps to take are very much the same in discovering a diagnosis.

*Check for deformity by comparing the injured counterpart on the opposite side of the victim's body. The dislocated joint will be different in appearance than the comparable uninjured joint. Deformity is the primary sign that a joint has been dislocated.

*Severe pain usually accompanies a dislocated joint. The injured person will most likely be able to point to the area of pain.

*Notice if the injured area is swollen.

*Inability to move the injured joint is also a very common symptom.

Listen to the victim for additional clues by asking appropriate questions. An accident victim may have felt the joint pop out of place while in motion or will be able to describe the activity that proceeded the injury. Being able to provide health care professionals with an account of the accident scenario would be most beneficial in assisting them with an accurate diagnosis.

In the case of a suspected dislocated joint there are a few first aid techniques you can apply to care for the individual until you can transport the victim to a medical facility or emergency medical assistance arrives.

The following guidelines will assist you in caring for the injured party even if you are not yet CPR and First Aid certified.

- Check the victim’s circulation by lightly squeezing the victim’s fingers or toes of the injured extremity (unless you suspect an injury in these areas). Ask the victim what they feel. You can also check for nerve damage by asking the victim to wiggle his or her fingers or toes connected to the injured extremity. Unless they are injured in these areas the victim should be able to produce some type of movement. If the dislocated bone is pressing on a nerve or blood vessel, it is possible that numbness or even paralysis may exist below the dislocated joint.

-Always check the injured extremity for pulse when dealing with a suspected dislocation. No pulse in the arm or leg indicates a more serious condition. If this is the case, seek emergency medical help immediately.

-If you are CRP and First Aid certified, use the R.I.C.E. (rest-ice-compression-elevation) procedure for treating a victim of a suspected dislocation. You may also use a splint to stabilize the injured joint, enabling it from movement using the techniques you have been taught.

-Never attempt to put dislocated bones back into their normal position. This action could result in additional nerve and blood vessel damage. Always, seek trained medical professionals for reduction of the dislocated joint.

Though just as painful, a sprain is less severe than that of a dislocation or fracture. A sprain consists of an injury to a joint in which the ligaments and tissues have been damaged by a violent twisting or stretching.

Attempting to use or move the joint causes an increase in pain to the victim. The skin around the injured area may appear bruised or discolored. This sign is due to bleeding from torn tissues.

Again, treatment would include practicing the R.I.C.E first aid method consisting of rest, ice, compression and elevation. It is most important to reduce swelling promptly in a sprained joint by administering ice or a cold pack. Even more important is to assist the reduction of swelling as soon as possible by compression using an elastic bandage.

Reducing swelling quickly and effectively will help to deter further damage to the injured joint.

If you have not yet attended a quick course in first aid training it is highly recommended in cases where prompt and proper emergency attention is needed. You can attend one of these training courses in various places in your community for no cost or a nominal fee. The course is given by trained emergency medical personnel and only requires a small amount of your time.