Dislocated elbow

The elbow is the second most common dislocated joint in adults, and the first in children.

An elbow is dislocated when the bones that make up the joint go out of alignment.
Elbow dislocation is more common in children, it usually occurs when they are lifted or swung by the forearms.
If you or your child have a dislocated elbow, seek medical attention immediately. Complications can occur if blood vessels and nerves are pinched or compressed
Typically, a dislocated elbow can be realigned without the need for surgery. However, if your elbow is also fractured, you may need surgery.

Dislocated elbow symptoms

Much pain
Joint distortion

Sometimes the elbow is only partially dislocated. Partial dislocation can cause bruising and pain where ligaments were damaged.

Causes
In adults:

Falls
Car accidents.

In children or adolescents, falling on an outstretched hand is also one of the common causes of a dislocated elbow.

In children:

Picking up the child improperly.
Tugging
Risk factor's
Age. The flexibility of the joints is greater in children than in adults.
Hereditary factor. By inheritance, some people have looser ligaments than others.
Sports practice. Sports that require weight-bearing with the arms, such as CrossFit, are especially risky for elbow dislocations.

Complexity
An elbow dislocation can become complicated in the following ways:

Fracture.
Pinched nerves.
Trapped arteries.
Avulsion fractures.
Osteoarthritis

If you have one or more of the aforementioned symptoms, approach your Orthopedist for a proper diagnosis.

When consulting your Orthopedist, try to keep a record of all your symptoms and studies that have already been applied to you before. If you need a Second Opinion, contact us, we are here to help you and clear up your doubts.

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BlueNet Hospitals.