Emergency Medical Minute Podcast #317: Elbow Dislocation
Apr 11, 2018
02:40
Author: John Winkler, M.D.
Educational Pearls:
● Lower mechanisms of injury have a lower chance of an associated fracture or major ligament injury
● One major concern is having a fracture fragment in the joint (can lead to chronic arthritic pain)
● Evaluation should involve checking the neurovascular status of the arm and reduce the fracture as soon as possible. Immobilize arm in a sling and consult orthopedics if there is intra-articular involvement.
References:
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/elbow-dislocation/
Mehta, JA; Bain, GI. (2004). Elbow dislocations in adults and children. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 23(4):609-27.