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. 2002:3:1.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-3-1. Epub 2002 Jan 4.

Open antero-lateral dislocation of the elbow. A case report

Juan A Alonso  1 , Bibas R Roy, David L Shaw
Affiliations

Open antero-lateral dislocation of the elbow. A case report

Juan A Alonso et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2002.

Abstract

Background: Open dislocations are infrequent, often associated with damage to the neuro vascular structures. We present an unusual case of an open antero-lateral dislocation of the elbow, which was not associated with any vascular or neural injury.

Case presentation: A 34 year female dance instructor sustained an open dislocation of her elbow. Surgical exploration was undertaken. No major neurovascular injury was present. There was almost complete disruption of all the muscular and ligamentous attachments to the distal humerus and the proximal radius and ulna, which were not formally repaired during surgery. The elbow was found to be very unstable, and was placed in a back slab. The functional recovery was complete in about six months, the patient regaining full range of elbow movement. Elbow dislocations without associate fractures are adequately treated by manipulation and reduction, in spite of the almost complete disruption of the soft tissues around the joint.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical photograph of open elbow dislocation following a simple fall
Figure 2
Figure 2
Postero-anterior radiograph of right elbow showing an antero-lateral dislocation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Lateral radiograph of right elbow showing an antero-lateral dislocation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Clinical photograph showing the range of movements achieved on the injured elbow six months after injury
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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