Elbow Dislocation

This is an archived page which is no longer updated.
Please visit the main page to look for a current version

ICD-9	Classification / Treatment
Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History	Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis
Anatomy	Complications
Clinical Evaluation	Follow-up Care
Xray / Diagnositc Tests	Review References

synonyms: radiocapitellar dislocation, elbow dislocation, radiohumeral dislocation, ulnohumeral dislocation

Elbow Dislocation ICD-9

Elbow Dislocation Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History

90% posterior or posterlateral dislocations.
Second most common dislocation of the upper extremity.
Annual incidence = 6 / 100,000 persons.
75% result from falls on outstretched arms. Generally combined supination, axial compression and valgus forces. (O'Driscoll SW, CORR 1992;280:194).
Most common residual effect is loss of terminal extension (@15°).

Elbow Dislocation Anatomy

Primary constraints=ulnohumeral articulation(coronoid), medial collateral ligament(MCL), lateral collateral ligament(LCL) (King GJ, JSES 2;165:1993).
Secondary constraints=radial head, common flexor and extensor origins, capsule. (Morrey BF, CORR 1991;265:187).
Dynamic constaints=mucles which cross the elbow, mainly the triceps, anconeus and brachialis.
Anterior band of medial collateral ligament is the primary constraint to valgus instability.
LCL(ulnar part) is primary constraint to posterolateral rotatory instability
Pathoanatomy of dislocation is a circle of bone/soft tissue disruption starting laterally and progressing medially. Stage I=ulnar band of LCL, Stage II=ant/post capsule, Stage III=MCL disrupted, anterior band of MCL is the last to disrupt.
Most dislocations have disruptions of both the MCL and LCL.
(McKee MD, JSES 2003;12:391).
See also Elbow Anatomy.

Elbow Dislocation Clinical Evaluation

Generally present with obvious deformity, pain and swelling.
Document NV exam before and after reduction.
Lateral pivot shift test=for posterolateral rotatory instability- pt supine, arm overhead. Supination-valgus moment applied during flexion, elbow subluxates usually at @40degrees, additional flexion causes reduction/clunk. Should create apprehension.
Valgus and varus stress, both in extension and 30 degrees flexion.
Valgus stress testing performed in full pronation to eliminated posterolateral rotatory instability.
Document wrist evaluation.

Elbow Dislocation Xray / Diagnositc Tests

A/P and lateral elbow films demostrates dislocation and associated fractures.
Evaluate for coronoid fracture: a small flake coronoid fx is indicative of a dislocation/subluxation in which trochlea knocked chip off. If it is larger than 2mm it likely represents varus-posteromedial rotatory instability and has strong propensity for posttraumatic arthritis. (OKU Shoulder and Elbow 2nd ed)
Consider stress films.

Elbow Dislocation Classification / Treatment

Reduction maneuver: longitudinal traction with the forearm in supination and gentle guiding of the olecranon forward into a reduced postion.
Simple elbow dislocation = no associated fracture. For elbow dislocations with an osseous component see respective fracture classification and treatment.
Stages of instability (O'Driscoll, Jupiter, King, Hotchkiss, Morrey,ICL JBJS 82A:724, 2000). Stages can be determined by on EUA or after intraarticular local anesthetic injection with fluoroscopy.

Stage	Injured structures	Clinical Findings after reduction	Treatment
1	ulnar band of LCL disruption	+lateral pivot shift test, but elbow is stable though ROM.	Immediate ROM in hinged brace with forearm in neutral rotation.
2	coronoid perched on trochlea	Elbow stable, but may have ulnohumeral gapping near extension.	Immediate ROM in hinged brace in full pronation for 2 weeks followed by neutral ROM in neutral rotation for 2 wks.
3a	LCL and posterior band of MCL torn. Anterior band of MCL intact,	Stable to valgus after reduction, stable in pronation, but ulnohumeral gapping noted in supination near extention.	Immediate ROM in hinged brace in full pronation for 2 weeks followed by neutral ROM in neutral rotation for 2 wks.
3b	LCL and entire MCL disrupted,	Unstable to varus, valgus and posterolateral rotation. Ulnohumeral gapping in supination and pronation near extention.	If stable at 30° flexion, block extension at 30°-130° and gradually extend; if unstable at 30° surgical repair indicated
3c	Distal humerus stripped of all soft tissues.	Grossly unstable even in cast, reduction maintained only with flexion >90degrees.	Surgical repair indicated

Acute=posterolateral rotatory(most common) vs valgus(MCL tear and usually radial head fx) vs varus posteromedial rotatory
Varus posteromedial rotatory dislocation-occurs during axial loading of elbow in flexion=anteromedial coronoid fracture and avulsion of LCL.
Consider volar forearm fasciotomy if reduction was delayed.

Elbow Dislocation Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Dislocation Complications

Most common complication is elbow stiffness/flexion contracture. When the acute pain has subsided in 5 to 7 days, the patient must begin early active motion exercises. There may be some minor loss of motion, and pts should be apprised of this prior to the reduction. 15% of pts lose >30 degrees of flexion. (Mehlhoff TL, JNJS 70A;244:1988)
Heterotopic ossification
Nerve injuries (rare)
Redislocation / instability(rare)
Overall @60% have residual symptoms, mainly loss of extension.

Elbow Dislocation Follow-up Care

Dependent of Stage (see Classification), and any associated injuries.
Generally immediate ROM in hinged brace. Consider full pronation for 2 weeks followed by neutral rotation for 2 weeks depending on severity in injury.
Early active motion is paramont to decrease extension loss. There may be some minor loss of motion, 15% of pts lose > 30 of flexion. (Mehihoff TL, JBJS 1988;70A:244).
Consider heterotopic ossification prophylaxis.
See also Elbow Outcome Measures.

Elbow Dislocation Review References

Orthofix Elbow Fixator


	Site Terms \| Copyright Information \| Contacts \| Advertisements Copyright © 2008 by eORIF.com LLC. All Rights Reserved.