[Lateral dislocation of the elbow: pathophysiological and therapeutic analysis]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Traumatology
• Elbow joint biomechanics

Background:

• Lateral elbow dislocation is an uncommon injury, with pure forms being exceptionally rare.
• Understanding the specific mechanisms and anatomical challenges is crucial for effective treatment.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old woman sustained a lateral elbow dislocation after falling on the medial aspect of her flexed elbow.
• Initial reduction attempts failed due to interposition of the anconeus muscle.

Findings:

• A detailed analysis of the injury mechanism and observed displacements informed a new reduction maneuver.
• The technique involved gentle traction, elbow extension, forearm supination, and specific olecranon manipulation.

Implications:

• This approach successfully reduced the dislocation and avoided neurovascular or capsuloligamentary structure incarceration.
• The described maneuver offers a potential solution for rare elbow dislocations with muscle interposition.