Elbow Dislocations (Subscribe)
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Elbow Dislocation eMedicine
Article by Mark E Halstead, MD 2007
Elbow dislocation is the most common dislocation in children, and in adults, it is the second most common dislocation after that of the shoulder. The elbow is amazingly stable, relying more on bony anatomy configuration for stability rather than ligaments. Considerable force is necessary to dislocate the elbow; sports activities account for up to 50% of elbow dislocations, and this type of injury is more commonly seen in adolescent and young adult populations.
Synonyms and related keywords: radial head dislocation, ulnar dislocation, radial head subluxation, FOOSH injury, nursemaid's elbow
Elbow dislocation is the most common dislocation in children, and in adults, it is the second most common dislocation after that of the shoulder. The elbow is amazingly stable, relying more on bony anatomy configuration for stability rather than ligaments. Considerable force is necessary to dislocate the elbow; sports activities account for up to 50% of elbow dislocations, and this type of injury is more commonly seen in adolescent and young adult populations.
Synonyms and related keywords: radial head dislocation, ulnar dislocation, radial head subluxation, FOOSH injury, nursemaid's elbow
Joint Reduction Radial Head Dislocation eMedicine
Article by Gretchen S Lent, MD 2007
Isolated radial head dislocations are rare. Radial head dislocations are usually complicated by complete elbow dislocations or fractures, as in the Monteggia complex.
Synonyms and related keywords: radial head dislocation, dislocation of the radial head, chronic radial dislocation, Monteggia fracture, Monteggia fracture dislocation, Monteggia injury, Monteggia complex, isolated radial head dislocation, forearm fractures, elbow dislocation, partial elbow dislocation, occult dislocation, Bado classification, Bado’s classification, radial head, ulna fracture, ulnar fracture, angulated forearm, shortened forearm, radiocapitellar line, anterior elbow dislocation, posterior elbow dislocation, lateral dislocation, capitellar dislocation, radial dislocation
Isolated radial head dislocations are rare. Radial head dislocations are usually complicated by complete elbow dislocations or fractures, as in the Monteggia complex.
Synonyms and related keywords: radial head dislocation, dislocation of the radial head, chronic radial dislocation, Monteggia fracture, Monteggia fracture dislocation, Monteggia injury, Monteggia complex, isolated radial head dislocation, forearm fractures, elbow dislocation, partial elbow dislocation, occult dislocation, Bado classification, Bado’s classification, radial head, ulna fracture, ulnar fracture, angulated forearm, shortened forearm, radiocapitellar line, anterior elbow dislocation, posterior elbow dislocation, lateral dislocation, capitellar dislocation, radial dislocation
Nursemaids Elbow
Nursemaid's elbow: Pulling out the diagnosis
Source: Contemporary Pediatrics
Originally published: June 1, 2000
By Nicholas A. Waanders, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Hellerstein, MD, and R. Tracy Ballock, MD
Pulled elbow is easily reduced. First, however, you must be sure that the injury is not something more serious, like a fracture. Elbow injuries, ranging from simple contusions to complex fractures, are very common in children. Children younger than 5 years often experience "pulled elbow." This injury, which is frequently called "nursemaid's elbow," also is termed "radial head subluxation." In pathoanatomical terms, it is an acute annular ligament interposition into the radiocapitellar joint.1 The injury occurs when someone pulls the young child's forearm, drawing apart the elbow joint and tearing the margin of the annular ligament attachment, the edge of the ligament that attaches the ligament to the bone. This tear allows the annular ligament to become trapped in the radiocapitellar joint. A simple reduction maneuver releases the ligament from the joint, often dramatically resolving symptoms.
By Nicholas A. Waanders, MD, PhD, Elizabeth Hellerstein, MD, and R. Tracy Ballock, MD
Pulled elbow is easily reduced. First, however, you must be sure that the injury is not something more serious, like a fracture. Elbow injuries, ranging from simple contusions to complex fractures, are very common in children. Children younger than 5 years often experience "pulled elbow." This injury, which is frequently called "nursemaid's elbow," also is termed "radial head subluxation." In pathoanatomical terms, it is an acute annular ligament interposition into the radiocapitellar joint.1 The injury occurs when someone pulls the young child's forearm, drawing apart the elbow joint and tearing the margin of the annular ligament attachment, the edge of the ligament that attaches the ligament to the bone. This tear allows the annular ligament to become trapped in the radiocapitellar joint. A simple reduction maneuver releases the ligament from the joint, often dramatically resolving symptoms.
Posterior dislocation of the elbow after a total hip replacement
Posterior dislocation of the elbow as an unusual presentation after a total hip replacement: a case report
Kumar Periasamy , Dominic Meek and Paul Crossman
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:38 (Abstract and full text available)
We report a case of posterior dislocation of the elbow occurring in a patient while using her arm to lift herself using a monkey pole on the second day following a total hip replacement. The dislocation was reduced under sedation in the ward. There were no signs or symptoms suggesting any joint hypermobility syndrome in the patient. Follow up 4 months following the injury revealed a complete recovery in the range of motion and a pain free elbow. There were no signs and symptoms of any instability.
We report a case of posterior dislocation of the elbow occurring in a patient while using her arm to lift herself using a monkey pole on the second day following a total hip replacement. The dislocation was reduced under sedation in the ward. There were no signs or symptoms suggesting any joint hypermobility syndrome in the patient. Follow up 4 months following the injury revealed a complete recovery in the range of motion and a pain free elbow. There were no signs and symptoms of any instability.
Recurrent Nursemaid Elbow Annular Ligament Displacement Treatment Via Telephone
Robert E. Kaplan, MD* and Kathleen A. Lillis, MD PEDIATRICS Vol. 110 No. 1 July 2002, pp. 171-174
Annular ligament displacement (ALD)— also termed radial head subluxation, nursemaid’s elbow, or pulled elbow—can be successfully diagnosed and treated over the telephone by properly trained medical professionals instructing nonmedical caretakers. Two case reports of successful ALD reduction via telephone are described. The pathology of ALD and techniques for its treatment are reviewed, and guidelines are given. The rationale for the introduction of the new term annular ligament displacement as well as areas for additional investigation are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first published account of ALD reduction via telephone.
Annular ligament displacement (ALD)— also termed radial head subluxation, nursemaid’s elbow, or pulled elbow—can be successfully diagnosed and treated over the telephone by properly trained medical professionals instructing nonmedical caretakers. Two case reports of successful ALD reduction via telephone are described. The pathology of ALD and techniques for its treatment are reviewed, and guidelines are given. The rationale for the introduction of the new term annular ligament displacement as well as areas for additional investigation are discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first published account of ALD reduction via telephone.
