Causes of dislocation of the elbow joint: treatment and therapy

Dislocation of the elbow joint - a fairly common injury, we can say, one of the most common in trauma. Dislocation may be posterior( fall on the unbent arm) and anterior( impact occurs along the bent elbow).

In addition, specific damage can also occur, such as fracture of the upper limb or other bones, rupture of the vessels and nerves that are present in this area, as well as a violation of the sensitivity of the hand. Symptoms of dislocation of the elbow joint include:

• severe pain in the elbow - the first and most true symptom;
• joint stiffness;
• formation of massive edema;
• lack of sensitivity in the upper limb, loss of pulse below the injury;
• manifestation of symptoms of damage to the vessels passing near the elbow, as the capsule of the joint is almost always broken, the tendons, nerve fibers are damaged;
• changes in the shape of the elbow joint;
• by conducting palpation under the skin you can feel the head of the radius. If the front is a posterior dislocation, and if the back is the front dislocation.

Causes of dislocation of the elbow joint:

1. Indirect injury that occurs when the place of application of force is remote from the damaged joint.
2. Direct injury resulting from a stroke in the joint area.
3. In children under 3 years of age, the cause of dislocation of the elbow may be accidental stretching.

What should I do if I suspect a dislocation?

If a joint is dislocated, you should immediately consult a doctor who will perform a physical examination, which is:

• carrying out radiography to exclude the possibility of fracture;
• carrying out arteriograms( contrast X-ray examination of the vessel) or ultrasound diagnosis;
• neurological examination( determined mobility of the hand);
• pulsometry.

Next, based on the information received, the doctor conducts several procedures:

1. Repositioning( re-locating) - returning the damaged joint to its place, before which the painkillers are used. The repositioning of the rear dislocation is performed by the method of flexion or over-bending( at first the joint is stretched, and then bent).With an anterior elbow dislocation, the joint is maximally bent and simultaneously displaced backward.
2. Immobilization - fixation of a patient elbow. This procedure is performed to exclude movement in the elbow joint.
3. Restoring ligaments is the most difficult stage, which sometimes requires an initial operation.

Then the rehabilitation is under the supervision of a doctor. During this period, physiotherapy is carried out: massage;physiotherapy;various vitamins are attributed. In the event of complications such as damage to the brachial artery, fracture of the coronary process of the bone, damage to the ulnar nerve, surgery is performed.

First aid at home

If it is not possible to seek professional help, then dislocation treatment of elbow joint should begin at home:

1. Apply ice or something cold to the injured joint.
2. Check the pulse.
3. Press in turn on the nail plates of all fingers of the damaged arm, which, under normal conditions, should lighten, and then resume a normal pinkish shade after 3 seconds.
4. Test the nerves. To check the radial nerve, you need to bend your wrist as if you are making a stop sign with your hand, to check the ulnar nerve - you need to spread all the fingers of the hand to the sides, for the medial nerve - you need to fold your thumb with your little finger.
5. Check the sensitivity of the skin of the hand. You need to do this by touching different areas of the skin from the fingers to the elbow.

If at least one of these manipulations is not performed - a dislocation of the elbow joint is possible.

What if the injured person is a child? Dislocation of the elbow joint in children happens very often. Parents should immediately seek medical help if:

• the child feels pain in the elbow joint;
• it supports a healthy upper limb injured;
• the injured arm is slightly bent, and with stronger flexion the child experiences pain.

Premedical care in such cases is carried out in the same sequence as for adults, but it needs to be done very carefully and carefully. It is important to know and remember that first aid for the dislocation of any part of the body should be:

1. In an immediate referral to the doctor, you should not try to fix the limb yourself.
2. In fixing the injured limb, not to change the position of the dislocated joint. You can do this with a kerchief or a tire, or simply attach the limb to the trunk.
3. When applying ice or a hot water bottle to a damaged area.
4. If large joints are dislocated - immediately call an ambulance, and if small - go to the emergency room.
5. Do not apply warming compresses!

It must also be remembered that while dislocating an elbow, time plays a crucial role. The use of the treatment within the first 24 hours after the trauma will lead to a favorable outcome, but if the dislocation has "turned" for a month already, an operation is almost always carried out, the results of which can be unpredictable.