You would think that if you dislocated a joint it would be obvious. While that is true in most cases, you can dislocate a joint like an elbow and not necessarily know that it has bones out of place. Different types of elbow dislocations range from mild to severe and may require simple to complex treatments to repair the injury.
The elbow has three bones that come together and are connected by tendons and ligaments. The humerus (upper arm bone) and the two forearm bones (radius and ulna) all meet at the elbow. When one or more of these bones is shifted out of place, it results in a dislocation. This can be caused by injuries to the soft tissues that hold the bones in place or fractures to one or more bones. Elbow dislocations are common, usually caused by falls or impact accidents.
Types of Dislocated Elbow Injuries
Falling on an outstretched arm, hitting your elbow against a solid object, or impact accidents like motor vehicle wrecks, can cause a dislocated elbow. Athletes can try to catch themselves with their arm and push the bones out of place, or a broken arm bone can move out of alignment at the elbow. The following are common types of elbow dislocations:
- Partial dislocation – slight misalignment of one or more bones
- Complete dislocation – the bone surfaces are completely out of alignment
- Severe dislocation – complete dislocation with damage to the nerves and blood vessels running through the elbow
Elbow dislocations can be simple, meaning there is no damage or fractures to the bones. They can also be complex, with ligament and bone injuries.
Symptoms of Elbow Dislocation
You could hit your elbow against a wall and cause a partial dislocation without necessarily realizing the bones had shifted. With the nerves that run through the elbow, it can be very painful. If you have a complex, complete, or severe dislocation, the symptoms are much more severe, and you will likely know that you have sustained a serious injury.
Symptoms of a partial elbow dislocation can include:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Difficulty bending your elbow
Many partial dislocations correct themselves and do not need to be realigned by a doctor. However, the ligaments do need to heal to ensure the elbow is not prone to frequent dislocations.
Symptoms of a complete elbow dislocation include:
- Deformity at the elbow
- Extreme pain
- Inability to bend area
- Swelling and bruising
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the lower arm and hand
Complex, complete, and severe elbow dislocations require immediate treatment. A severe elbow dislocation can result in loss of the arm. Treatments can range from wearing a splint and undergoing physical therapy to surgery to repair the bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and other tissues.
If you have symptoms of a dislocated elbow, even a partial one, you should seek medical attention. If you need elbow dislocation treatment, you can trust the orthopedic team at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians. Call one of our locations near you to schedule an appointment.
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