A dislocated elbow is a very painful injury that can stop you being able to use your elbow. It is one of the most common dislocation injuries, caused by the three bones in your elbow joint – the upper arm bone or humerus, the long bone in the forearm or ulna and the short bone in the forearm or radius – being forced out of place. At the same time, you may also damage the soft tissues around your elbow including the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.
If you think you may have dislocated your elbow, never try and push it back into place or you could cause further and potentially serious damage. Keep your elbow as still as possible and seek urgent medical attention.
Here’s what you need to know about elbow dislocations
What causes elbow dislocations?
A dislocated elbow is caused by the joint being subjected to a major force that pushes the bones out of position. This may be the result of falling heavily onto an outstretched hand, a sports-related injury such as a heavy impact or fall, rotating the body while the hand is still on the ground (for example, during wrestling) or a road traffic accident, particularly when bracing in anticipation of impact. Children can also suffer elbow dislocations if they are grabbed or lifted by the arm.
Who is at risk of elbow dislocations?
While anyone can dislocate their elbow, certain factors increase your risk of this type of injury. You may be particularly at risk if you play contact sports or sports that involve throwing, if you’re over the age of 65 or have a condition that affects your joint ligaments, such as joint hypermobility syndrome. Being born with an ulna bone that has a very shallow groove for the elbow to sit in increases your risk of dislocation. Certain types of work that involve making repetitive arm movements can also increase your chances of injury.
What are the symptoms of elbow dislocation?
The main symptoms are pain and being unable to move your elbow. The joint may be noticeably deformed and it feel weak and unstable. There may be bruising or swelling or both. Your elbow works both as a hinge joint – allowing your elbow to bend (flex) and straighten (extend) – and also as a ball and socket joint, enabling you to rotate your hand from palm up to palm down. Either of these motions can be affected by an elbow dislocation.
The different types of elbow dislocation
You may sustain a complete dislocation, where the bones in the joint are completely separated, or you may have a partial dislocation or subluxation, where the bones are only partially separated. With a dislocated elbow, there is a high risk of other injuries including soft tissue damage, damaged blood vessels and bone fractures. A simple dislocation does not involve fractures but the ligaments may be damaged. A complex dislocation involves both fractures and ligament damage. The most severe elbow dislocations also involve damage to the nerves and blood vessels of the arm.
How are elbow dislocations diagnosed?
A doctor will carry out a physical examination to check for swelling, deformity and tenderness. They will ask how and when the symptoms occurred and assess the nerve supply to your hand and evaluate your circulation. You are likely to be sent for a diagnostic imaging test – an X-ray, MRI, CT scan or ultrasound – to assess the damage in your joint and for associated injuries. An X-ray will confirm if the elbow is dislocated while other scans can assess soft tissue damage or may be used once the elbow has been put back in place.
Treating a dislocated elbow
A doctor will put your joint back into position using a technique called manipulation or closed reduction. Once the bones are correctly aligned again, you will need to wear a sling or splint to keep the joint immobilised while it heals. You should avoid using your elbow and avoid doing anything that places the joint under stress. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories can be taken to relieve the pain. If you sustained other injuries alongside the dislocated joint or if the dislocation is severe, you may need surgery to realign the bones and/or repair damage to soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels.
Recovering from a dislocated elbow
You will need to wear the sling or splint for several weeks to keep your elbow immobilised and give it time to heal. As it starts to feel better, your physiotherapist will recommend exercises to build strength and mobility in the affected joint. The recovery time will depend on a range of factors including the severity of the dislocation, whether there are also soft tissue injuries and your age and general state of health. You should avoid a return to sport and other physical activities until it is fully healed or you risk further injuries, including dislocating the elbow again. Most simple elbow dislocations make a full recovery although you may not be able to fully extend your elbow after such an injury. In the case of complex dislocations, some permanent elbow damage may result. There can also be an increased risk of arthritis if the bones are not well-aligned, if the joint does not function normally or if the elbow continues to dislocate.
For advice about diagnosing, treating and preventing elbow dislocations contact us.
Orthopaedic Consultant & Surgeon | London
Thames Shoulder & Elbow are able to provide advice and support to anyone experiencing symptoms affecting the upper limbs (shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist).
Telephone: 020 376 15987
Email: admin@thamesshoulderandelbow.co.uk
Our Locations
Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, St John’s Wood – Directions
BMI The Syon Clinic, Brentford – Directions
HCA Chiswick Medical Centre, Chiswick – Directions
West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, Isleworth – Directions
