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Elbow Dislocation

An injury to the elbow joint so that adjoining bones are displaced from their normal position and no longer touch each other. An elbow dislocation is usually a surgical emergency because damage to nerves and blood vessels is common and severe.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Elbow joint.
• Adjoining arm bones (ulna, radius and humerus).
• Collateral ligament of the elbow.
• Soft tissue surrounding the dislocation, including nerves, tendons, muscles and blood vessels.

Causes

• Direct blow to the elbow.
• Fall onto an outstretched hand.
• End result of a severe elbow sprain.
• Congenital elbow abnormality, such as shallow or malformed joint surfaces.
• Powerful muscle contractions.

Signs & Symptoms

• Excruciating pain at the time of injury.
• Loss of elbow function.
• Severe pain when attempting to move the elbow.
• Visible deformity if the dislocated bones have locked in the dislocated position. Bones may spontaneously reposition themselves and leave no deformity, but damage is the same.
• Tenderness over the dislocation.
• Swelling and bruising around the elbow.
• Numbness or paralysis in the arm below the dislocation caused by pressure on blood vessels or nerves.
• Decreased or absent pulse at the wrist because of blood-vessel damage.

Treatment

Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

First Aid

• Keep the person warm with blankets to decrease the possibility of shock.
• Cut away clothing if possible, but don't move the injured area to do so.
• Immobilize the elbow, shoulder and wrist with padded splints in the position they are in. Don't try to manipulate the elbow.
• Follow the R.I.C.E. plan (rest, ice, compression and elevation) whenever you have swelling, warmth or pain in your elbow.

Continuing Care

• Splints will be necessary to immobilize the elbow , and sling will be necessary to immobilize the entire arm. The posterior (hind) splint is usually removed 2 weeks after injury, and the anterior(front) splint is removed 1 week later .A sling is used for another week.
• Use ice soaks 3 or 4 times a day. Fill a bucket with water, and soak the injured area for 20 minutes at a time.
• Use heat applications if heat feels better.Use heat lamps,hot showers or heating pads.
• Take whirlpool treatments,if available

Home Diet

• Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to correct the dislocation. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting under general anesthesia more hazardous.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation due to decreased activity.

Prevention

• Build your overall strength and muscle tone with a long-term conditioning program appropriate for your sport.
• Wear elbow pads for contact sports.

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