In displacement colic, a portion of the intestine has become twisted or caught in an abnormal position. Strangulating displacements, such as volvulus-torsion (twists) of the large colon, can be rapidly fatal and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. In any case of displacement colic, blood flow is cut off from the affected part of the intestine and the tissue dies.

For more information, see Colic, Impaction Colic, Incarceration Colic, Excessive Fermentation Colic, and Spasmodic Colic.