About the condition

What is a dislocated elbow?

The elbow is a stable structure due to the support of the bones and joint from ligaments, tendons, muscle and tissue. As the elbow is one of the body’s most mobile joints, it is prone to dislocation. Dislocations can either be partial (subluxation) or complete separation (luxation) from the joint, and can be further classified as:

If the dislocation causes damage to nearby structures, it may affect recovery periods and the chance of re-injury.

Simple dislocation– resulting in no major bone injury
Complex dislocation– resulting in serious bone or ligament injury/damage (e.g. avulsion fractures, where a ligament will pull off a tiny bit of bone from its attachment, etc.).
Severe dislocation– resulting in severe damage to most elbow structures (including bones, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, etc.).

Causes

What are the causes?

The cause of a dislocated elbow can vary. Strong force is required to completely separate the bone from nearby structures, hence affecting the degree of dislocation.

Some common factors which can trigger a dislocation include:

Highly active individuals, as well as males in their teens-20s are most at risks of dislocating their elbow. Additionally, toddlers are also prone to elbow dislocations, mainly due to improper pulling or lifting of the child’s arm which pulls the bones out of the joint.

Falls – especially when the arm is used to break impact, sending sudden force through the elbow
Sports-related injuries – extreme force or sudden impact against the shoulder
Trauma – car accidents or high-contact activity
Abnormal, rapid and sudden movement/force against the elbow joint
Hypermobile joints – genetic predisposition or joint disorders (like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) which cause greater laxity/instability in the joint

Symptoms

What are the symptoms?

Severe pain after impact/injury – referred pain felt down the hands, fingers, arm or shoulder
Stiffness/inability to move or straighten the elbow or arm
Popping sound at time of injury
Reduced or no range of movement
Visibly deformed joints/bones under the skin
Swelling and bruising; tenderness

Treatment

Treatment for an elbow dislocation

If you have dislocated your elbow, it is important to seek out immediate medical treatment. You will likely be referred for CT, X-ray or MRI scans to determine the extent of the injury. It is important to have a trained professional “pop” your elbow back in to minimise risk of damage to the surrounding structures.

Physical therapy is highly beneficial in rehabilitating the structures around the elbow joint after a dislocation to increase range of movement and prevent recurrence. At Vitalis Physiotherapy, we tailor a unique treatment plan to aid in your recovery through:

If the pain and reduced movement is severe, driving and strenuous activity should be avoided. Your physiotherapist may also advise heat or ice application, rest and if necessary, pain medication. Additionally, they might recommend for you to use supportive braces, slings or straps.

Stretching, strengthening and/or conditioning exercises
Restoring range of movement
Postural improvement
Soft tissue mobilisations (massage)
Shockwave Therapy
Dry needling
Taping
A unique home exercise program
Graded Exposure to load program

Dislocated Elbow Treatment in Sinnamon Park

What is a dislocated elbow?

What are the causes?

What are the symptoms?

Treatment for an elbow dislocation

Treating Dislocated Elbow in Sinnamon Park

Get it assessed properly