I received a call a few days ago from someone sitting in the parking lot of a closed urgent care. He said his finger was bent at a crazy angle after playing some ball. Unfortunately, I was seated at a wedding, and during our conversation the music started suggested a groom en route! Terrible timing. So this one is for all you ball players.
Very few medical problems give me more joy than dislocation reductions, because very little that I do makes patients feel better that rapidly. Try to think of anything that moves patients from one extreme of pain and anxiety to another so quickly. Fingers, toes and patellas are tops, followed by shoulders. Elbows and hips are tougher, and often need sedation, so not nearly as enjoyable.
While it can be hard to differentiate between fractures and dislocations sometimes, the treatment paths are very often similar.