Elbow Dislocations - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Educational video describing specific types of elbow dislocations.
An elbow dislocation occurs when the radius and ulna bones of the forearm move out of place from the humerus bone of the upper arm.
There are two basic types of elbow dislocations:
1-simple: no fracture of the bone around the elbow joint. Usually ligamentous injury.
2- complex: fracture has occurred along with ligamentous injury.
Simple acute
Simple elbow dislocation typically occurs when the patient falls onto an outstretched hand. Injury progression from lateral to medial in most patients.
Types
Posterolateral
•Most common: 90% of dislocations
•The proximal ulna and radius are displaced posterolaterally relative to the distal humerus.
Posteromedial
•The proximal ulna and radius are displaced posteromedially relative to the distal humerus.
Medial
•The proximal ulna and radius are displaced medially relative to the distal humerus.
Lateral
•The proximal ulna and radius are displaced laterally relative to the distal humerus.
Anterior
•The proximal ulna and radius are displaced anteriorly relative to the distal humerus.
•Rare and results from direct force applied to the posterior aspect of the forearm with the elbow in a flexed position.
Treatment
Closed reduction
If stable
•Splint for two or three days and no more than two weeks.
•The range of motion exercises and physical therapy.
If unstable
Can be stabilized by ligament repair and/or by the use of external fixator or cross-pinning of the joint in the elderly.
Treatment
•Open reduction and external fixator.
•Usually hinged.
Recurrent elbow dislocation (diagnosed by pivot shift)
•Occurs due to deficiency of the lateral collateral ligament.
•Treated by reconstruction of the ulnohumeral ligament with a tendon graft.