Elbow dislocation
Updates to Article Attributes
Elbow dislocation is the second most common large joint dislocation in adults and the most common in children.
Epidemiology
Elbow dislocations are common and account for 10-25% of all elbow injuries in the adult population 1. They are the most common dislocation in children 4.
Associations
If an elbow dislocation is associated with a fracture (fracture-dislocation), it is called "complex." An isolated dislocation without fracture is "simple."
The most common associated fracture in adults is a radial head fracture, although coronoid process fracture is also common. When all of these occur together in a severe posterior dislocation, it is known as the terrible triad of the elbow 1-3. Other elbow fracture dislocation-dislocation patterns include the trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation and anteromedial coronoid fractures with associated varus posteromedial instability 6.
The most common associated fracture in children is a medial epicondyle fracture 4.
Clinical presentation
Patients typically present complaining of a painful, swollen joint after a fall on an outstretched hand; also commonly occurs in the context of motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sporting events. In posterior dislocations, the affected elbow is commonly held in mid-flexion, whereas patients with anterior dislocations tend to adopt a position of forearm supination with extension at the elbow. Inspection may reveal a prominent olecranon posteriorly, and the ipsilateral forearm may appear "shortened" compared to the contralateral extremity. Range The range of motion will be decreased 7.
Complications
Neurovascular structures of note which may be at risk of injury as a complication of elbow dislocations (and potentially during closed reduction attempts) include:
-
ulnar nerve
- most common neuropraxia associated with posterior dislocation
- median nerve
- anterior interosseous branch typically involved
- may be entrapped during closed reduction of a posterior dislocation 8
- radial nerve
- brachial artery
- associated with anterior dislocations
Pathology
Mechanism
Most elbow dislocations are closed and are most frequently posterior (sometimes posterolateral or posteromedial) although anterior, medial, lateral, and divergent dislocations are also infrequently encountered). Posterior dislocations typically occur following a fall onto an extended arm, either with hyperextension or a posterolateral rotatory mechanism 1.
Radiographic features
In most cases, plain films suffice for assessment of elbow dislocations, although CT is increasingly used to pre-operatively assess intra-articular fractures.
Plain radiograph
The dislocation is usually obvious, especially if adequate AP and lateral views are obtained, however, the challenge is in identifying associated fractures.
Although rarely required in practice, a line drawn along the anterior margin of the humerus (anterior humeral line) and one along the long axis of the radius should intersect near the centre of the capitellum 3.
Report checklist
In addition to reporting the presence of a dislocation, a number of features should be sought and commented upon.
- dislocation direction
- posterior, posterolateral, posteromedial, lateral, medial, or divergent
- associated fractures
- most frequently the radial head and coronoid process
- other fractures encountered include medial epicondyle (in children), lateral condyle, capitellum, olecranon 2
- wrist and shoulder may need to be imaged if there is clinical concern
Treatment and prognosis
When elbow dislocation is simple (i.e. no associated fracture) then closed reduction and a brief period (e.g. <2 weeks) of immobilisation at 90 degrees of flexion usually suffices 1,3.
Complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow require operative management, consisting of reduction of the dislocation, management of the fracture, and repair of surrounding damaged soft tissues (ORIF). They are far more likely to have a poor outcome, including secondary osteoarthritis, limited range of motion, instability (~40%), and recurrent dislocation as well as pain 1,5.
Occasionally injury to the brachial artery may be seen (this is more common in open fracture-dislocations) 2.
-<p><strong>Elbow dislocation</strong> is the second most common <a href="/articles/large-joint-dislocation">large joint dislocation</a> in adults and the most common in children. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p><a href="/articles/elbow">Elbow</a> dislocations are common and account for 10-25% of all elbow injuries in the adult population <sup>1</sup>. They are the most common dislocation in children <sup>4</sup>.</p><h5>Associations</h5><p>If an elbow dislocation is associated with a fracture (fracture-dislocation), it is called "complex." An isolated dislocation without fracture is "simple."</p><p>The most common associated fracture in adults is a <a href="/articles/radial-head-fractures">radial head fracture</a>, although <a href="/articles/coronoid-process-fracture">coronoid process fracture</a> is also common. When all of these occur together in a severe posterior dislocation, it is known as the <a href="/articles/terrible-triad-of-the-elbow">terrible triad of the elbow</a> <sup>1-3</sup>. Other elbow fracture dislocation patterns include the trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation and anteromedial coronoid fractures with associated varus posteromedial instability <sup>6</sup>. </p><p>The most common associated fracture in children is a <a href="/articles/medial-epicondyle-fracture-1">medial epicondyle fracture</a> <sup>4</sup>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients typically present complaining of a painful, swollen joint after a fall on an outstretched hand; also commonly occurs in the context of motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sporting events. In posterior dislocations the affected elbow is commonly held in mid-flexion, whereas patients with anterior dislocations tend to adopt a position of forearm supination with extension at the elbow. Inspection may reveal a prominent olecranon posteriorly, and the ipsilateral forearm may appear "shortened" compared to the contralateral extremity. Range of motion will be decreased <sup>7</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Neurovascular structures of note which may be at risk of injury as a complication of elbow dislocations (and potentially during closed reduction attempts) include:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Elbow dislocation</strong> is the second most common <a href="/articles/large-joint-dislocation">large joint dislocation</a> in adults and the most common in children. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p><a href="/articles/elbow">Elbow</a> dislocations are common and account for 10-25% of all elbow injuries in the adult population <sup>1</sup>. They are the most common dislocation in children <sup>4</sup>.</p><h5>Associations</h5><p>If an elbow dislocation is associated with a fracture (fracture-dislocation), it is called "complex." An isolated dislocation without fracture is "simple."</p><p>The most common associated fracture in adults is a <a href="/articles/radial-head-fractures">radial head fracture</a>, although <a href="/articles/coronoid-process-fracture">coronoid process fracture</a> is also common. When all of these occur together in a severe posterior dislocation, it is known as the <a href="/articles/terrible-triad-of-the-elbow">terrible triad of the elbow</a> <sup>1-3</sup>. Other elbow fracture-dislocation patterns include the trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation and anteromedial coronoid fractures with associated varus posteromedial instability <sup>6</sup>. </p><p>The most common associated fracture in children is a <a href="/articles/medial-epicondyle-fracture-1">medial epicondyle fracture</a> <sup>4</sup>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients typically present complaining of a painful, swollen joint after a fall on an outstretched hand; also commonly occurs in the context of motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sporting events. In posterior dislocations, the affected elbow is commonly held in mid-flexion, whereas patients with anterior dislocations tend to adopt a position of forearm supination with extension at the elbow. Inspection may reveal a prominent olecranon posteriorly, and the ipsilateral forearm may appear "shortened" compared to the contralateral extremity. The range of motion will be decreased <sup>7</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Neurovascular structures of note which may be at risk of injury as a complication of elbow dislocations (and potentially during closed reduction attempts) include:</p><ul>
-<a title="Ulnar nerve" href="/articles/ulnar-nerve">ulnar nerve</a><ul><li>most common neuropraxia associated with posterior dislocation </li></ul>- +<a href="/articles/ulnar-nerve">ulnar nerve</a><ul><li>most common neuropraxia associated with posterior dislocation </li></ul>
-<a title="Anterior interosseous nerve" href="/articles/anterior-interosseous-nerve">anterior interosseous</a> branch typically involved</li>- +<a href="/articles/anterior-interosseous-nerve">anterior interosseous</a> branch typically involved</li>
-</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Mechanism</h5><p>Most elbow dislocations are closed and are most frequently posterior (sometimes posterolateral or posteromedial) although anterior, medial, lateral and divergent dislocations are also infrequently encountered). Posterior dislocations typically occur following a fall onto an extended arm, either with hyperextension or a posterolateral rotatory mechanism <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In most cases, plain films suffice for assessment of elbow dislocations, although CT is increasingly used to pre-operatively assess intra-articular fractures. </p><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>The dislocation is usually obvious, especially if adequate AP and lateral views are obtained, however, the challenge is in identifying associated fractures. </p><p>Although rarely required in practice, a line drawn along the anterior margin of the humerus (<a href="/articles/anterior-humeral-line">anterior humeral line</a>) and one along the long axis of the radius should intersect near the centre of the capitellum <sup>3</sup>. </p><h6>Report checklist</h6><p>In addition to reporting the presence of a dislocation, a number of features should be sought and commented upon. </p><ul>-<li>dislocation direction<ul><li>posterior, posterolateral, posteromedial, lateral, medial or divergent</li></ul>- +</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Mechanism</h5><p>Most elbow dislocations are closed and are most frequently posterior (sometimes posterolateral or posteromedial) although anterior, medial, lateral, and divergent dislocations are also infrequently encountered). Posterior dislocations typically occur following a fall onto an extended arm, either with hyperextension or a posterolateral rotatory mechanism <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>In most cases, plain films suffice for assessment of elbow dislocations, although CT is increasingly used to pre-operatively assess intra-articular fractures. </p><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>The dislocation is usually obvious, especially if adequate AP and lateral views are obtained, however, the challenge is in identifying associated fractures. </p><p>Although rarely required in practice, a line drawn along the anterior margin of the humerus (<a href="/articles/anterior-humeral-line">anterior humeral line</a>) and one along the long axis of the radius should intersect near the centre of the capitellum <sup>3</sup>. </p><h6>Report checklist</h6><p>In addition to reporting the presence of a dislocation, a number of features should be sought and commented upon. </p><ul>
- +<li>dislocation direction<ul><li>posterior, posterolateral, posteromedial, lateral, medial, or divergent</li></ul>
-</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>When elbow dislocation is simple (i.e. no associated fracture) then <a href="/articles/closed-reduction">closed reduction</a> and a brief period (e.g. <2 weeks) of immobilisation at 90 degrees of flexion usually suffices <sup>1,3</sup>. </p><p>Complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow require operative management, consisting reduction of the dislocation, management of the fracture and repair of surrounding damaged soft tissues (<a href="/articles/open-reduction-internal-fixation">ORIF</a>). They are far more likely to have a poor outcome, including secondary osteoarthritis, limited range of motion, instability (~40%) and recurrent dislocation as well as pain <sup>1,5</sup>. </p><p>Occasionally injury to the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a> may be seen (this is more common in open fracture-dislocations) <sup>2</sup>.</p>- +</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>When elbow dislocation is simple (i.e. no associated fracture) then <a href="/articles/closed-reduction">closed reduction</a> and a brief period (e.g. <2 weeks) of immobilisation at 90 degrees of flexion usually suffices <sup>1,3</sup>. </p><p>Complex fracture-dislocations of the elbow require operative management, consisting of reduction of the dislocation, management of the fracture, and repair of surrounding damaged soft tissues (<a href="/articles/open-reduction-internal-fixation">ORIF</a>). They are far more likely to have a poor outcome, including secondary osteoarthritis, limited range of motion, instability (~40%), and recurrent dislocation as well as pain <sup>1,5</sup>. </p><p>Occasionally injury to the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a> may be seen (this is more common in open fracture-dislocations) <sup>2</sup>.</p>
Image 13 X-ray (Frontal) ( create )
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