Imagine you suddenly fall, or while playing sports, your arm gets stuck on the ground the wrong way. Suddenly, you feel unbearable pain coming from your elbow, and you can't even move your arm. When you look at your elbow, its shape has changed and it looks strange. This is what we simply call a "dislocated elbow." This is a really scary and painful experience. So today, we'll talk about what to do in a situation like this, and what it really is.
Simply put, what is this elbow jump?
Our elbow is not just a joint. It is a very important place where three bones come together. Any joint in our body is a place where two or more bones join together. The elbow joint is made up of these three bones:
- Upper arm bone (Humerus): This is the long bone that runs from your shoulder to your elbow.
- Ulna: The long bone on the inside of your forearm (on the little finger side).
- Radius: The bone that runs along the side of the thumb in the forearm.
A dislocated elbow is when these three bones, due to a hard blow or fall, move out of their proper place and separate from each other. It's like a drawer coming off a rail. When this happens, you can't move your arm and you feel severe pain.
Most importantly, when the bone protrudes in this way, it can also damage the delicate tissues around the elbow. This means:
- Muscles
- Nerves
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Blood vessels
Because all of these things can be harmful, if you have even the slightest suspicion that you have sprained your elbow, you should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Do not, for any reason, try to put your elbow back in place, either by yourself or with someone else.
What are the main types of elbow jumps?
Doctors classify elbow sprains based on two main factors. One is how far the bone has protruded. The other is the extent of damage to the surrounding tissues. To make this easier to understand, let's look at it this way.
| Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| Depending on the amount of bone movement | |
| Complete Dislocation/Luxation | What happens in this case is that the bones of the joint completely separate from each other and shift positions. It's as if the joint has completely dislocated. |
| Partial Dislocation/Subluxation | Here the bones don't come completely apart. They move a little out of place, but they're still in contact with each other to some extent. |
| Depending on the nature of the damage | |
| Simple Dislocation | There is no fracture to the bones of the elbow, but the ligaments that hold the elbow together may be damaged. |
| Complex Dislocation | This is a bit more serious. In addition to dislocating the bone, there is a fracture of one or more of the bones that make up the elbow joint. There can also be severe damage to the surrounding ligaments and tendons. |
| Severe Dislocation | This is the most serious case. Along with bone spurs and fractures, there is also damage to the important nerves and blood vessels that run near the elbow. |
What are the symptoms of a sprained elbow?
If you have a sprained elbow, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Unbearable, sharp pain in the elbow area.
- Elbow swelling .
- Blue/purple discoloration of the skin around the elbow.
- The appearance of the elbow changes , meaning it may look like the arm is stretched out.
- Inability to move, bend, or extend the arm.
- Tingling or numbness in the hand (this can happen if the nerves are damaged).
- Feeling of weakness in the hand.
What are the main reasons for this?
For the elbow to pop out of its socket, it needs to be subjected to a sufficiently strong force. The most common causes are:
- Falls: Especially when falling with our arms outstretched. When we are about to fall, we automatically put our arms forward and put them on the ground to protect our body. This can happen because of the pressure on the elbows at that time.
- Car accidents: This can be caused by the shock and damage to the hand when a vehicle hits.
- Sports accidents: This condition can occur when playing high-impact sports like rugby and football, or if you fall from an incorrect position during sports like gymnastics.
Special note to parents: Lifting a young child by the arm, or twisting it, can cause a partial dislocation of the child's elbow. This is medically known as "Nursemaid's Elbow." Therefore, avoid lifting a young child by the arm.
Who is at higher risk of elbow dislocation?
Although this danger can happen to anyone, for some people the risk is a little higher.
- Athletes: Especially for those who play sports that involve a lot of contact.
- People over 65 years of age: As you age, you are more likely to fall due to weaker bones and loss of balance.
- Children under 16 years of age: Children's bones and joints are still developing, so they are more susceptible to accidents.
- People with conditions that weaken their joints: For example, people with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and joint hypermobility syndrome have more flexible joints than normal, which increases the risk of joint dislocation.
- People who use their elbows frequently: For those who work in jobs that involve repetitive motion or for those who use their elbows excessively in sports (e.g. bowlers).
How do you find this, Doctor?
When you go to the hospital, the first thing the doctor will do is examine your arm. They will look at the shape of your elbow, look for swelling, and look for bruises. They will also ask you how the accident happened and what symptoms you are experiencing. Describing the incident as clearly as you can will help a lot in the diagnosis.
What tests can be done?
After a physical examination, your doctor may recommend one or more of these tests to determine the exact extent of the internal damage.
- X-ray: This is mainly used to determine if the bone is dislocated or broken.
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This can clearly see damage to delicate tissues around bones, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography): If the fracture is complex, this can help to obtain a three-dimensional image of the bone and get a better understanding of how it broke.
- Ultrasound scan: This is sometimes used to see if blood vessels are damaged.
How do you treat a sprained elbow?
The most important and first treatment for an elbow sprain is to put the sprained joint back in place. Doctors call this a closed reduction .
Remember this: If you think you have sprained your elbow, the first thing to do is go to a hospital emergency room (ETU). Do not, under any circumstances, try to pull, twist, or fix your arm, either on your own or with someone who is not trained. Doing so will only worsen the injury and damage the surrounding nerves and blood vessels. Keep your arm as still as possible.
This is how the doctor will realign your joint. First, they will give you a painkiller to numb the pain. They may also put you under some sedation. Then, very carefully, they will realign the bones back into place using a special technique.
After the joint is repaired, further treatment is needed until the wound heals:
- Immobilization: A splint or sling (a strap that holds the arm in place) may be placed to keep the elbow from moving until it heals.
- Medication: Your doctor will prescribe appropriate medication to reduce pain and swelling. Do not take painkillers on your own for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor.
- Rest: You should avoid any activities that put pressure on your elbow. You should completely avoid lifting weights or playing sports until you are healed.
When is surgery necessary?
Most of the time, a dislocated elbow does not require surgery. However, surgery may be necessary in the following cases:
- If the accident has caused broken bones or severe damage to nerves or blood vessels.
- If the doctor is unable to manually realign the joint (closed reduction).
- If the jump is very complex or severe.
How long does it take to heal?
This depends on the extent of the damage you have suffered.
- A simple dislocation can heal in a few weeks. The arm will usually need to be immobilized for a week or two. After that, physical therapy will be needed to restore movement in the arm. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to bend, extend, and strengthen your arm.
- A complex or severe dislocation will take longer to heal, possibly several months. Your doctor will explain this to you.
The most important thing is to avoid sports or heavy work until you are fully healed. If you do, you are much more likely to get the same injury again.
Are there ways to prevent this danger?
We can't always prevent accidents, but there are things we can do to reduce the risk.
| Situation | Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| When playing games |
|
| General safety |
A sprained elbow is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. So don't just stay home and think, "It's just a small thing." Even if your trainer or loved one has a good opinion of you, don't let them fix this joint. It will do more harm than good.
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have sprained your elbow, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. With proper treatment, you can recover quickly and return to normal life.
Take-Home Message
- A sprained ankle is a serious injury that causes severe pain and requires immediate medical attention.
- If you notice symptoms, go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- Never attempt to fix a sprained elbow on your own or with an untrained person for any reason. This can make the condition worse.
- Treatment requires a doctor to realign the joint, immobilize the arm, and provide physical therapy.
- Following the doctor's instructions exactly until you are fully recovered is essential for a quick and complete recovery.
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