Anterior dislocation of elbow in an adult female: A rare case report

Abstract

Elbow dislocations are among one of the most frequently dislocated joints, with an incidence of five to six cases annually per 100,000 persons in the United States. The vast majority of elbow dislocations occur posteriorly, secondary to a disruption in the anterior elbow- and posterior elbow-stabilizing structures. Anterior elbow dislocations are rare injuries in both children and adults, occurring as the proximal ulna is forced anterior to the distal humerus with or without the proximal radius. As of 2019, only 21 anterior elbow dislocations without fractures have been reported between 1922 and 2018. Here, we report the rare case of a patient that sustained a complex anterior elbow dislocation after being involved in a motor vehicle collision.

Keywords: anterior elbow; dislocation.

FIGURE 1

Acute elbow dislocation with anterior displacement of the radius‐ulna and comminuted fracture of the olecranon.

FIGURE 2

Demonstration of the technique used for reduction of anterior elbow dislocation.

FIGURE 3

Post‐reduction film of the left elbow with near‐anatomic alignment of the olecranon process.

FIGURE 4

Left elbow with open reduction internal fixation of the olecranon.