Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Simple elbow dislocations: evaluation, management, and outcomes.

Michael P McCabe1, Felix H Savoie

  • 1Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, MS, USA.

The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|April 18, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Let them move: Early range of motion and rehabilitation after fixation of medial epicondyle fractures in adolescent athletes.

Journal of children's orthopaedics·2026
Same author

Oxandrolone treatment prevents muscle atrophy and retraction after rotator cuff injury: an experimental study in rats.

JSES reviews, reports, and techniques·2025
Same author

Operative management of posterolateral rotatory instability in females: favorable 6-year outcomes in primary and revision elbows.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2025
Same author

Arthroscopic Repair of Distal Triceps Tendon Rupture Provides Excellent Functional Outcomes With Minimal Complications.

Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation·2025
Same author

Double-Allograft Shoulder Stabilization for Multidirectional Instability Is Associated With Improved Function and Survivability After 2 Years.

Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation·2025
Same author

Initiating Testosterone Therapy Without Indication for Treatment of Low Testosterone Is Associated With Higher Risk of Tendon Tear.

Sports health·2025
Same journal

Injury surveillance during the 2024 under-20's Men's European Field Lacrosse Championships.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
Same journal

Understanding health insurance and the delay in care for partial meniscectomies: a comparison between public and private coverage.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
Same journal

Injury incidence and risk factors in youth American football versus soccer: a national emergency department analysis.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
Same journal

Links between concussion history, hypertension, and hypertension contributing factors among adolescent football athletes.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
Same journal

Core muscle endurance and balance as predictors of lateral ankle sprain in adolescent team-sport athletes: a prospective cohort study.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
Same journal

Impact of Achilles tendon rupture on performance and career outcomes in NFL players: a matched cohort study.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2026
See all related articles

Elbow dislocations, common in athletes, are treated with nonoperative methods and early motion to prevent stiffness. Surgery is reserved for unstable dislocations, with early mobilization crucial for optimal recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Sports Medicine
  • Traumatology

Background:

  • Elbow dislocations are frequent athletic injuries resulting from falls onto an outstretched hand.
  • These injuries involve axial-compressive and rotational-shear forces across the elbow joint.
  • Dislocations are classified as simple (ligamentous injury only) or complex (including fractures).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the initial assessment, radiographic evaluation, and on-field management of elbow dislocations.
  • To describe various reduction techniques for both supine and prone patients.
  • To outline definitive treatment strategies, emphasizing nonoperative management and early range of motion.

Main Methods:

  • Review of initial assessment and radiographic evaluation protocols.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Description of supine and prone reduction techniques.
  • Discussion of nonoperative management with limited immobilization and early active range of motion.
  • Outline of surgical indications and procedures for unstable dislocations, including ligament repair/reconstruction.
  • Consideration of arthroscopic techniques in elbow dislocation management.

    • Main Results:

    • Nonoperative treatment with limited immobilization and early active range of motion is the primary management strategy.
    • Extended immobilization (> 3 weeks) is linked to poor outcomes.
    • Early active range of motion is recommended to minimize joint contracture and facilitate return to activities.
    • Late or recurrent instability after simple dislocations is uncommon.
    • Joint contracture is the most frequent complication, with an average extension loss of 3° to 8°.

    Conclusions:

    • Early active range of motion is key to successful outcomes and preventing contractures after elbow dislocations.
    • Nonoperative management is effective for most simple elbow dislocations.
    • Surgical intervention is indicated for unstable elbow dislocations.
    • Arthroscopic techniques are emerging as a viable option for managing elbow dislocations.