Elbow dislocation

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Background

  • Usually due to FOOSH
  • 90% are posterolateral
  • Median and ulnar nerves may be injured
  • "Terrible Triad" injury describes unstable joint consisting of:
    1. Elbow dislocation
    2. Radial head fracture
    3. Coronoid fracture

Clinical Features

  • Swelling may be severe
  • Displaced equilateral triangle of olecranon and epicondyles (undisturbed in supracondylar fracture)

Posterior dislocation

  • Elbow held in 45 degree of flexion
  • Olecranon is prominent posteriorly

Anterior dislocation

  • Elbow held in extension

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

Radiograph-Negative

Pediatric

Evaluation

Lateral view
AP view
  • Imaging
    • Look for associated fractures (especially of coronoid and radial head)
    • Lateral: both ulna and radius are displaced posteriorly
    • AP: lateral or medial displacement with ulna/radius in their normal relationship
  • Red flags

Management

  • Likely require Procedural sedation
  • Reduction techniques: [1]
    • Longitudinal traction on wrist/forearm with downward pressure on forearm
    • Patient lies prone
      • Assistant pulls counter traction on humerus
      • Provider pulls longitudinally with elbow in extension, then flexes elbow
    • Stimson
      • Patient prone with elbow flexed at 90 degrees at edge of bed. Hang weight from hand, and if needed provider can push olecranon into place
  • Immobilize in long arm posterior mold with elbow in slightly less than 90deg flexion
    • If unstable, splint with forearm in pronation
    • Document post reduction neurovascular status and post reduction films

Disposition

  • Obtain emergent consult for irreducible dislocations, nerve or vascular compromise, associated fracture, open dislocation
  • Simple dislocation requires ortho follow up within 1 week

See Also

References


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