Joe A Shaw PA-C - 7/30/2010

Question
Dear Doctor. My son dislocated his wrist, but due to a huge swelling he did not relocate it, but rather left it  to heal in it's dislocated position. When he visited a physician, they said he would grow out of it since he was rather young then. However he didn't, and so my question is, is it possible for him to relocate back his wrist and what may be the effects and requirements if so. Thankyou very much.

Answer
That does sound a little unusual,(initial recommendation of doing nothing due to huge swelling)especially if in U.S...it might have been a subluxation and not a full dislocation? Subluxation is kind of a milder form of dislocation. I would take him to a hand orthopedist for xrays and MRI. They may want to try physical therapy first..before anything more drastic like corrective surgery.