Elbow Dislocation
Adelaide-Based Orthopaedic Treatment
An elbow dislocation occurs when the bones of the elbow joint, humerus, radius, and ulna, are forcibly displaced out of alignment. This injury typically affects children and young adults during high-impact trauma, like falls on an outstretched hand or contact sport injuries, and is the second most common major joint dislocation after the shoulder.
Causes and Symptoms of pathology
Causes of Elbow Dislocation
Elbow dislocations result primarily from:
- Falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH), often with a combination of valgus (outward) force and rotation, pushing the joint out of place.
- High-impact injuries in sports (e.g., rugby, gymnastics), motor vehicle accidents, or playground accidents.
- In complex injuries like the “terrible triad”, elbow dislocation occurs along with radial head and coronoid process fractures, often after axial loading plus external rotation.
Symptoms
Elbow dislocation injuries may present with the following symptoms:
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Severe pain, swelling, and immediate loss of motion
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Obvious deformity—the elbow may appear crooked or misaligned
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Numbness, tingling, or weak pulse, indicating possible nerve or artery involvement
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Inability to bend or straighten the arm, due to pain or mechanical blockages
Treatment options
Non-operative treatment
Non-operative treatment options for elbow dislocation injuries may be considered for certain cases, particularly when there are no associated fractures or severe ligament damage. Non-operative treatment may include:
Closed reduction: The healthcare provider manually manoeuvres the bones back into their proper alignment, often under sedation or anaesthesia.
Immobilisation: After reduction, the elbow may be immobilised using a splint or cast to allow the injured structures to heal.
Rehabilitation: Once the acute phase has passed, a physical therapy program may be initiated to improve elbow strength, stability, and range of motion.
Operative treatment
Operative treatment is often necessary for severe elbow dislocations, especially those involving the terrible triad injury pattern or significant ligament damage. Surgical intervention aims to restore the normal alignment of the elbow joint and address associated fractures. Surgical options may include:
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): The surgeon uses open surgical techniques to reposition the bones and fix them in place using plates, screws, or other hardware.
Ligament repair or reconstruction: If the ligaments around the elbow are severely damaged, they may require repair or reconstruction using grafts or other techniques.
Radial head arthroplasty or replacement: In some cases, the damage to the radial head is too severe, and the best option is a radial head replacement. The damaged radial head bone is removed and replaced with a size-matched prosthesis made from pyrocarbon.
Rehabilitation
Recovery from an elbow dislocation varies on the severity and complexity of the injury. While simple dislocations typically heals more quickly, complex cases, especially those involving fractures or ligament damage, require longer healing and structured rehabilitation.
- Simple dislocations: motion returns over 6–12 weeks; some lost extension is common but rarely functionally limiting.
- Complex injuries/terrible triad: recovery extends over 3–6+ months; early motion and progressive strengthening minimize stiffness.
Many people regain good function, but it’s common to experience some loss of range of motion (especially in full extension or flexion), reduced grip strength, or occasional stiffness. Over years, these limitations tend to be mild for the majority, though they can affect high-demand tasks.
How Dr Oscar Brumby‑Rendell Can Help
Specialising in upper-limb trauma, Dr Brumby‑Rendell offers advanced surgical techniques, including arthrosis and ligament repair, combined with early rehabilitation protocols to optimize recovery. With multiple clinic locations across Adelaide, he ensures timely access and comprehensive treatment to help patients regain confidence and function.
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Want to know more about elbow injuries? Here is Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell talking about Tennis elbows.
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