ELBOW DISLOCATION

Three bones come together at the elbow to form the elbow joint. The humerus is the bone in the upper arm, forming the upper elbow. The other two bones make up the forearm (the radius and the ulna), or the lower part of the elbow. Ligaments connected to the bones keep all of these bones in proper alignment (Ligaments connect bone to bone). Elbow dislocation occurs with trauma to the elbow, which disrupts the ligament attachments, causing the elbow to dislocate. A complete elbow dislocation is extremely painful and very obvious. The arm will look deformed and may have an odd twist at the elbow. This is considered an emergency injury and the goal of immediate treatment is to return the elbow to its normal alignment. Long-term goal of treatment is to restore function to the arm.

Elbow dislocation occurs after trauma to the elbow, which disrupts the ligament attachments, causing the elbow to dislocate. The joint surface of the elbow is separated, causing the elbow to either partially or completely dislocate. Dislocations are extremely painful and very obvious. They are considered emergency injuries that require the bones to be put back in their normal alignment.

The humerus, radius and ulna come together at the elbow to form the elbow joint. The humerus is the bone in the upper arm, forming the upper elbow. The other two bones make up the forearm (the radius and the ulna), or the lower part of the elbow. Ligaments are connected to the bones keep all of these bones in proper alignment (ligaments connect bone to bone). The elbow functions as a hinge joint to allow bending and straightening and as a ball and socket joint to facilitate hand and forearm rotation. Dislocations can affect both these motions.

Typically, a dislocation follows a trauma to the elbow. If you fall on an outstretched hand/arm, the force is sent to the elbow, causing the elbow to get pushed and rotated out of its socket. This force and dislocation can injure the bones and surrounding ligaments and muscles, disputing elbow stability. Simple dislocations are ones that don’t involve any major bone injury but complex dislocations result in major bone and ligament injuries. In severe dislocations, there could be potential nerve and blood vessel damage, which is very serious.

Elbow dislocations can be very painful and many times, visually evident. With a complete dislocation, the arm will look deformed. Partial dislocations can be harder to identify because the bones may relocate and the joint may look normal. However, it will still hurt and there could be bruising.

Elbow dislocations are considered emergency injuries and should be realigned at a hospital. For a simple dislocation that is stable after reduction, you may receive a splint or sling to immobilize the arm for a few weeks and then recommended to physical therapy to improve range of motion and strengthening. For an unstable simple dislocations or complex dislocations, surgery may be needed to repair the ligaments and/or realign the bones if damaged. There are devices like external hinges or an internal fixator to protect the elbow from re-dislocation.