Elbow joint luxation

'Luxation of the elbow joint accounts for one-fifth of all luxations and is very often associated with a fracture of the radial head, the coronoid process, or a fracture of the epicondyle. Luxation is always associated with lesion of the collateral ligaments and one should think of nerve injury' (nervus medianus and nervus ulnaris).

Elbow joint luxation

Classification

1. Humeroulnar luxation'

• dorsal = posterior luxation
• dorsomedial (ulnar)
• dorsolateral (radial)

2. Radioulnar luxation'

• luxation of the radial head - usually occurs in combination with a fracture of the proximal part of the ulna.

Diagnostics

• anamnesis - circumstances and mechanism of luxation
• clinical examination - examination of joint stability, peripheral circulation and innervation (n. medianus, n. ulnaris)
• RTG - exclusion of luxation fracture

Therapies

• conservative' - closed repositioning under local anaesthesia
• operative - if repositioning is not possible, ligament reconstruction is usually performed at the same time

Complications

• nerve involvement - especially n. ulnaris
• vascular injuries
• compartment syndrome
• periatric ossification
• limitation of joint mobility

Links

Related articles

• Luxation
• Dislocation of Shoulder Joint

References

• SOSNA, A – VAVŘÍK, P – KRBEC, M, et al. Základy ortopedie. 1. edition. Praha : Triton, 2001. 175 pp. ISBN 80-7254-202-8.

• WENDSCHE, Peter – VESELÝ, Radek. Traumatologie. 1. edition. 2001. 344 pp. ISBN 9788074922114.