Anterior elbow dislocation with recurrent instability

Abstract

Anterior elbow dislocations are often associated with severe soft tissue lesions. The mechanism of dislocation is usually an anteriorly directed blow on the proximal ulna after a fall on a flexed elbow. Simple anterior elbow dislocations are traditionally treated by closed reduction followed by a short period of immobilisation. Fracture-dislocations are usually unstable after reduction and necessitate surgical management. The authors report a case of acute anterior dislocation with a concomitant radial head fracture that was complicated by recurrent instability. The literature is reviewed to discuss a treatment strategy.