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 ').

Elbow luxation

Classification[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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

Complications[edit | edit source]

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

Links[edit | edit source]

Source[edit | edit 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.