Joint Dislocation and Subluxation in Children
Paediatric Physiotherapy in Melbourne
Has your child's shoulder or kneecap ever popped out?
Most children recover well from joint dislocations and subluxations with appropriate medical care and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy can help restore confidence, improve joint stability and support a safe return to everyday activities and sport.
If you suspect your child has a new dislocation, they should seek prompt medical assessment.
What are joint dislocations and subluxations?
Has your child ever had a joint "pop out" or felt like it slipped out of place? Joint dislocations and subluxations occur when the bones within a joint move out of their normal position.
A dislocation occurs when the joint surfaces completely separate, while a subluxation is a partial loss of contact where the joint remains partially aligned. Although a subluxation may resolve on its own, it can still cause pain, instability and reduced confidence with movement.
Joint dislocations and subluxations may occur due to a fall, sporting injury or other trauma. Some children are also more prone to these injuries because they have naturally flexible joints, ligament laxity or underlying conditions that affect joint stability.
Common joints affected include the:
Shoulder
Elbow
Kneecap (patella)
Fingers
Thumb
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, visible deformity, or difficulty moving the joint. In some cases, particularly with subluxations, the joint may slip in and out of place and resolve quickly but still cause discomfort or a feeling of instability. Recurrent episodes can impact a child’s confidence in movement and participation in activities.
Signs your child may have a joint dislocation or subluxation
Your child may experience:
Sudden pain following an injury
Swelling around the joint
Difficulty moving or using the joint
A feeling that the joint has "slipped" or "popped out"
The joint giving way during activities
Recurrent episodes of instability
Reduced confidence participating in sport or play
When should I seek medical attention?
A suspected joint dislocation should always be assessed promptly by a medical professional.
Seek urgent medical attention if your child:
Has a visibly deformed joint
Is unable to move the joint
Has severe pain or swelling
Has numbness or tingling
Has sustained a significant injury
Once the joint has been appropriately managed, physiotherapy can support your child's recovery and help them return safely to their usual activities.
How can physiotherapy help?
Following medical assessment and appropriate treatment, physiotherapy plays an important role in restoring movement, improving joint stability and reducing the risk of future dislocations or subluxations.
Our paediatric physiotherapists will assess your child’s joint stability, strength, movement patterns, and any contributing factors such as flexibility or muscle control.
Management focuses on improving joint stability and reducing the risk of further episodes. This may include strengthening exercises, proprioception (joint awareness) training, and guidance on safe movement and activity participation.
Education for parents and children is an important part of management, helping you recognise symptoms and know when to seek further care. If needed, your physiotherapist may work alongside or refer to other healthcare professionals for additional support and to ensure coordinated care.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why does my child's joint keep slipping out?
Some children naturally have more flexible joints or increased ligament laxity, making them more prone to recurrent subluxations or dislocations. Muscle strength, movement control and coordination also play an important role in joint stability.
Can physiotherapy prevent future dislocations?
While physiotherapy cannot guarantee that another dislocation won't occur, improving strength, joint control and movement patterns can significantly reduce the risk of future episodes and help your child feel more confident participating in everyday activities and sport.