Simple Anterior Dislocation of the Elbow - Case Report

doi:2005.8.2.181

Clin Shoulder Elb > Volume 8(2); 2005 > Article

Journal of the Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society 2005;8(2):181-186.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5397/CiSE.2005.8.2.181 Published online December 30, 2005.

Simple Anterior Dislocation of the Elbow - Case Report

Bong-Jin Lee, M.D., Sung-Rak Lee, M.D., Seong-Tae Kim, M.D.*

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Halla General Hospital, Jeju, Korea

주관절의 전방 단순 탈구 - 증례보고

이봉진, 이성락, 김성태

제주 한라병원 정형외과

Abstract

An anterior dislocation of the elbow without a fracture of the olecranon is an extremely rare injury. This paper reports a 36-year-old male who stumbled and fell on his outstretched hand during a soccer game. The anteroposterior and lateral radiographs indicated a simple anterior dislocation of the elbow, which was reduced using a closed method. The elbow joint was stable in the range of motion, but the sensation of the two ulnar digits was still reduced. MRI was useful for the identification of the pathoanatomy. At the follow-up examination three months after the initial trauma, the hypesthesia has fully recovered and the patient regained the full range of the elbow and forearm motion without pain and instability. After 18 months, the patient had a normal elbow function, and could play various sports. If an anterior elbow dislocation is detected early, a closed reduction with careful pathoanatomical considerations would be successful.

Key Words: Elbow, Anterior dislocation, Closed reduction, MRI