Neglected Anterior Elbow Dislocation without Fracture: An Unusual Case in an Adolescent

Elbow dislocation is the second most common dislocation after shoulder dislocation in adults. It is said to be pure when it is not associated with a peri-articular bone fracture. Anterior elbow dislocation is rare, it is most often associated with significant trauma to the soft tissues. We report a case of an unusual type of neglected pure anterior elbow dislocation in a 16-year-old adolescent.

A 16-year-old Koranic student, with no past medical history, who presented at the outpatient department with a closed injury to the left elbow resulting from a fight 3 months ago, during which his forearm was allegedly twisted. Elbow radiographs revealed an anterior elbow dislocation, with no associated fracture, with ossifications along the triceps brachii tendon. The patient was taken to the operating room, 4 months after injury, for an open reduction using the paratricipital approach. At the past follow-up of 15 months, the elbow regained an active flexion of 120°, extension was limited to 45°, pronation, and supination were complete and the elbow was painless. Assessment of the present state of the elbow was done using the mayo elbow performance score with an excellent score of 95.

Anterior elbow dislocation is an unusual form of acute elbow instability. It is a real trauma emergency that requires rapid and adequate treatment for better functional recovery.