Elbow dislocation occurs when the bones that form the elbow joint move out of their normal alignment. The elbow joint is formed by the upper arm bone (humerus) and the two forearm bones (radius and ulna). When these bones lose their normal position, the elbow may become unstable, painful, and difficult to move.
Elbow dislocations most commonly occur following trauma, such as falls or sporting injuries. In some cases, ongoing ligament injury may lead to recurrent elbow instability, where the joint feels loose, unreliable, or prone to repeated dislocation or subluxation.
Early assessment and appropriate treatment are important to restore stability, function, and long-term joint health.
A simple dislocation occurs when the elbow joint dislocates without associated fractures. Although the bones remain intact, the ligaments and capsule surrounding the elbow are usually injured. Simple dislocations are the most common type and may recover well with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.
Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical examination and imaging.
Assessment typically includes:
Accurate diagnosis helps determine the severity of injury and guides treatment planning.
Surgery may involve repairing or reconstructing damaged ligaments to restore elbow stability. This may be performed using sutures, anchors, or tendon grafts, depending on the injury pattern.
When fractures occur with dislocation, surgery may be required to stabilise broken bones using plates, screws, or other fixation techniques.
In selected cases, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery may be used to assess and treat ligament injury, remove loose fragments, or address associated joint damage.
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