Dislocation of the elbow joint

Dislocation of the elbow joint makes up a fifth of all dislocations and is very often associated with a fracture of the head of the radius, the coronoid process, or a fracture of the epicondyle. Luxation is always associated with a lesion of the lateral ligaments and one must think of a nerve injury' (n. medianus and n. ulnaris ').

Classification
1. Humeroulnar dislocation
 * dorsal = posterior dislocation
 * dorsomedial (ulnar)
 * dorsolateral (radial)

2. Radioulnar dislocation
 * dislocation of the head of the radius - usually occurs in combination with a fracture of the proximal part of the ulna.

Diagnostics

 * anamnesis – circumstances and mechanism of dislocation
 * clinical examination – examination of joint stability, peripheral circulation and innervation (n. medianus, n. ulnaris)
 * X-ray – exclusion of a luxation fracture

Therapy

 * conservative - closed reduction under local anesthesia
 * operational - if reduction is not possible, ligament reconstruction is usually performed at the same time

Complications

 * Nerve damage - especially n. ulnaris
 * vascular injury
 * compartment syndrome
 * periatricular ossification
 * limitation of joint mobility

Related Articles

 * Luxation
 * Shoulder joint dislocation

Source

 * SOSNA, A, P VAVŘÍK a M KRBEC, et al. Základy ortopedie. 1. vydání. Praha : Triton, 2001. 175 s. ISBN 80-7254-202-8.


 * WENDSCHE, Peter a Radek VESELÝ. Traumatologie. 1. vydání. 2001. 344 s. ISBN 9788074922114.