Anterior Elbow Dislocation

Excerpt

The elbow is one of the most common large joints to dislocate and is the most common large joint dislocated in children. However, anterior elbow dislocations are a rare injury in both adults and children. On a basic level, the elbow is comprised of the articulation between the distal humerus with the proximal radius and ulna. Elbow dislocations are described by the direction of the proximal ulna relative to the humerus. Therefore, an anterior dislocation is described as a proximal ulna being forced anterior to the distal humerus with or without the proximal radius. The mechanism is usually falling on a flexed elbow with anterior force on the proximal ulna.

An elbow dislocation can be categorized as simple or complex based on the association with a fracture. A simple dislocation only involves injury to ligamentous or capsular structures, whereas complex dislocations involve a fracture of the surrounding bony structures. Anterior elbow dislocations are commonly termed complex due to their high association with fractures. Management of elbow dislocations should be an immediate closed reduction and stabilization. If the patient has recurrent instability, fracture, or neurovascular compromise, then operative fixation is usually required.