Elbow dislocation
| Elbow dislocation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lateral X ray of a dislocated right elbow. | |
 | |
| Specialty | Orthopedics |
| Symptoms | Elbow deformity and pain[1][2] |
| Complications | Elbow stiffness[2] |
| Types | Partial versus complete;[1] simple versus complex;[2] posterior versus anterior versus divergent[2] |
| Causes | Injury such as a fall[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Supported by X-rays[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Distal humerus fracture, epiconyle fracture, ulna fracture[3] |
| Treatment | Joint reduction, surgery[4] |
| Frequency | Uncommon[1] |
Elbow dislocation is when the humerus is no longer in normal contact with the ulna at the elbow joint.[4] Symptoms include deformity and severe pain at the elbow.[1][2] Complications may include stiffness of the elbow or decreased range of motion.[2][3]
The cause is generally an injury such as a fall.[1] Among sports, wrestling and gymnastics are commonly involved.[2] The underlying mechanism involves at least injury to the ligaments around the elbow.[4] Diagnosis is supported by X-rays.[2] Types are simple (75%), generally if no fracture is present, and complex, when a fracture is present.[4][2]
Initial treatment involves a joint reduction.[4] Afterwards the elbow maybe placed in a back slab or sling at 90 degree.[2] Surgery may be required if the joint redislocates following reduction or if a fracture is present.[4] Early range of motion exercises are recommended.[2]
Elbow dislocations are uncommon.[1] Though they are the second most common dislocation of a large joint, occurring in about 1 in 20,000 people a year.[3][2] They most frequently occur in people between the age of 10 and 20, with males more commonly affected.[3]
Diagnosis
Initial imaging is generally with plain X-rays.[2] CT scan may be used to detect subtle fractures or find fragments of bone preventing reduction.[2] MRI may be useful to detect injury to ligaments.[2]
Types
Types include simple, in which no fracture is present, and complex, which is associated with a fracture.[2]
Specific types of complex fractures include:[2]
- Monteggia fracture which is an ulna fracture near the elbow with a radial head dislocation)
- Terrible triad of the elbow which is an elbow dislocation, radial head fracture, and fracture of the coronoid
Treatment
Posterior
One technique to reduce a posterior dislocation occurs with the person on lying flat on their back, the elbow bend, and the palm facing up.[2] One person than pulls on the lower arm well another holds the upper arm in place.[2] The upper ulna is correct aligned side to side, than the olecranon is moved back into place.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Elbow Dislocation - OrthoInfo - AAOS". www.orthoinfo.org. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Rezaie, N; Gupta, S; Service, BC; Osbahr, DC (July 2020). "Elbow Dislocation". Clinics in sports medicine. 39 (3): 637–655. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2020.02.009. PMID 32446580.
- 1 2 3 4 Layson, J; Best, BJ (January 2023). "Elbow Dislocation". PMID 31747224.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Elbow Dislocation: Signs and Treatment | The Hand Society". www.assh.org. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.